Springfield banker named to state economic advisory board

UMB Bank Southwest Region President Ann Marie Baker is one of four state business leaders named Friday by Gov. Jay Nixon to a new economic advisory panel.

During a visit to the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Nixon announced the creation of the Executive Advisory Board, which will be tasked with developing a five-year economic growth plan for the state, according to a news release from Nixon's office.

Joining Baker on the panel are Paul Combs of Baker Implement in Kennett, Bill Downey of Kansas City Power & Light, and David Steward of World Wide Technology in St. Louis. Missouri Economic Development Director David Kerr will lead the group.

The final outcome of the group's work, according to the release, will be six to 10 objectives, pinpointing existing and future industries that can drive economic growth in the state, along with specific steps necessary to accomplish each goal.

The board also will create a statewide steering committee of industry experts, researchers, labor representatives and business leaders. That committee will begin meeting in June, according to the release.

"We need to make a comprehensive assessment of Missouri's strengths, assets and opportunities for growth, and make sure we are investing our resources in industries poised for growth," Nixon said in the release.

Associated Industries of Missouri already has put its support behind the governor's efforts, according to a separate news release.

"For many years, Missouri’s Department of Economic Development and Missouri’s  business community have been promoting and passing economic development  legislation with no long-range plan in mind,” AIM President Ray McCarty said in the release. “This five-year strategic plan will not only set goals for where Missouri  needs to be, but should provide a road map for changes needed to reach those goals.”[[In-content Ad]]