Maximizing Northwest Missouri Communities through development of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

This project is designed to help communities apply systems thinking to improving the economy through entrepreneurship and developing the infrastructure and culture to support those businesses. The project has been working to bring the Baldridge Framework used by Healthcare and other industries and apply them to communities. University of Missouri through Extension has supported the project through data analysis and educational programs. Joe Lear, NW Regional director sets on the planning (navigation) team to help guide communities through the process. The project has brought many people together to begin discussing how communities can work with industry and local businesses on broadband, business succession, and food systems. By having community leaders begin to think regionally and act locally, the economy of the NW region and expand beyond agricultural and agricultural industries.