Chamber of Commerce expects Missouri to be Top-10 state in tech manufacturing within 5 years
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce predicts the state will rank among the Top 10 in tech manufacturing within five years and outlined how to get there in its Technology2030 report that was presented to the General Assembly Wednesday morning.
The report was a partnership with tech leaders, local business owners and state policy makers, including the Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus. The extensive document features an analysis of Missouri tech data and recommendations for improvements.
"I'm curious to see what exciting things are inside of the report and what we can do to continue to make Missouri a better place for everybody to come here and do business," said Sen. Kurtis Gregory (R-Marshall), who is the Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus co-chair. "Because at the end of the day, when someone's looking to move and locate, I want them to say, 'Why not Missouri?' instead of, 'Why we would go to Missouri?'"
The report found that Missouri ranks the seventh-fastest state for tech-manufacturing jobs. Missouri also ranks ninth in tech-workforce diversity and 12th in women in tech. Tech added more than 14,000 jobs for the state within the past five years and in 2023, the industry earned more than $19 billion in income.
"There's continuing manufacturing technology growth here, it's a state that has the fundamentals for manufacturing, it's one of the best states for business taxes, it's one of the best states for low cost of doing business, low cost of living in the state, low cost of housing," report author Ted Abernathy said.
The report recommends drawing more business to the state by giving tax breaks to tech companies relocating to Missouri, giving tax credits to working residents or those moving back and improving the state's broadband internet.
The report also hopes to put a focus on emerging technologies like agricultural technology, financial technology, cybersecurity, and generative artificial intelligence, the latter getting a recommendation to establish a state-backed AI research center.
"I'm really excited to see not only younger legislators getting involved in these issues, but all of our legislature are coming together and better understanding why it's so crucial that we not only focus on these issues in our state, but we encourage more growth in these sectors," said Rep. Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City), who is the Minority Floor Leader and Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus co-chair.
Dean of State Technical College of Missouri Shawn Berhorst agrees that Missouri has been trending towards tech. Berhorst added the school has a beneficial loop with in-state employers.
"They come in twice a year and they tell us what to teach in the program," Berhorst said. "That has made us much more efficient at teaching exactly what the employers are looking for."
Digital marketing student Corinn Karst said that she understands the appeal.
"The goal is to find a job in Missouri, preferably Jefferson City, I want to stay close to home," Karst said. "We have so many employers who show up that want to hire like the students who go here."
