Ingram's | October 2003 - Economic Development

More than 30 public officials and community development leaders convened on Tuesday, September 23 for what proved to be an informative and impressively harmonious assembly, an event co-sponsored by the Kansas City Area Development Council and the State of Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Hosting the forum on top The Fairmont Hotel in Kansas City's Country Club Plaza on an equally perfect day was Ingram's Magazine of Kansas City. This was part of Ingram's ongoing effort to highlight economic development issues in Kansas City's greater metropolitan area. Ably chairing the event was Joe Driskill, the Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Although there was candid discussion about the challenges the Kansas City area faces, the overall mood was forward looking and upbeat. Particularly refreshing was the sense of cohesion and collegiality across state and county lines.

Looking Up

Joe Driskill offered a brief "state of the area" assessment for those assembled. "We all live in very challenging times," he observed.

Still, for all the travails of the last two years, "Things are starting to look up." Driskill cited some "great signs of recovery." Creighton University's purchasing managers index bodes well. Unemployment rates are heading down, and job creation is moving in the right direction. This all points, Driskill believes, "to a very good future." The challenge, as he sees it, is to make sure policy makers remain informed and focused and that "we continue to call attention to the importance of economic growth."