2009 Prospectus - Missouri Partnership

I V . A T R U E P U B L I C - P R I V A T E P A R T N E R S H I PThe Missouri Partnershipwas envisioned as justthat: A partnership ofgroups, individuals, andresources from the publicand private sectors, at the state, regional, andlocal levels, all working in symphony to promoteour great state as a premier business investmentdestination for companies around the world.Neither the work done by the Partnership todate,nor any future endeavors undertaken bythe Partnership, would be possible without theongoing support of the following organizations.P A R T N E RMissouri Dept. of Economic DevelopmentHawthorn FoundationMissouri Economic Development CouncilAn Integrated Partnership with the MissouriDepartment of Economic DevelopmentAmong the Missouri Partnership’s manypartner organizations across the state, noneis as important as the Missouri Departmentof Economic Development, the state agencydesignated by the Governor as responsible forenhancing and growing Missouri’s economy.The Missouri Department of Economic Developmentdevelops and administers the wide arrayof financing programs – including the MissouriQuality Jobs Act and Enhanced Enterprise Zone– that are used not only to help facilitate theexpansion of existing Missouri businesses, butalso to aid in the recruitment of new employersto our state. As the Missouri Partnershipcontinues to promote Missouri to companiesaround the globe, the ongoing efforts andresources of the Missouri DED are integral to thePartnership’s success in attracting new businessinvestment.With a mission of stimulating and supportingeconomic opportunity and a high quality of lifein Missouri’s communities, the Department ofEconomic Development works closely with theMissouri Partnership on business recruitmentprojects, principally by deploying the toolkit ofincentives that are necessary to “seal the deal”with companies considering a new locationin the state. While the Partnership focuses onmarketing Missouri as an attractive place to dobusiness, the Missouri DED plays a crucial rolein the sales process by helping make our statea financially competitive option for expansionmindedcompanies. The Missouri DED alsocontinues to work with businesses alreadylocated in Missouri, assisting these importantemployers to grow and succeed throughoutchanging economic conditions. By helpinglay the groundwork for a strong, prosperouscommunity of existing Missouri businesses,the Department is further strengthening thebusiness climate that the Missouri Partnershipaggressively markets to corporations bothdomestically and abroad.In other words, Missouri’s efforts to recruit newindustry are supported by an integrated approachthat draws upon the greatest strengthsof each organization: The Missouri Partnership,with its expertise in marketing and sales;and the Missouri Department of EconomicDevelopment, with its ability to structure competitive,but responsible, financial solutions fornew and existing employers in our state.The Missouri DED also shares the Partnership’scommitment to promoting our state as a premierdestination for new business investment.In addition to co-branding its website (www.DED.mo.gov) and materials with Missouri’s newbusiness brand, the Missouri DED cooperateswith the Partnership on tradeshows and othermarketing events designed to raise Missouri’soverall visibility among targeted industries.Finally, the Missouri Department of EconomicDevelopment is a majority investor in thePartnership’s operations, with additionalfunding provided by the non-profit HawthornFoundation, a long-standing association ofMissouri companies dedicated to supportingthe state’s economic development priorities.MARKE TING LOGISTICSMissouri has the 2 nd and 3 rd largestrail terminals and is ranked7 th for highway miles.ix