Governor Holden Outlines Economic Development Goals at Annual Conference
Cerner Corp. Receives Highest Honors for Outstanding Economic Development Efforts

The state of Missouri hosted the 44th Annual Governor’s Economic Development Conference on May 30th & 31st at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks. This assembly was preceded by the Missouri Economic Development Council’s Annual Meeting.

"The key to a strong Missouri rests in the ability of each community and region of this state to work with their citizens to improve quality of life and develop highly skilled workers, thus creating an environment that will foster economic growth and the creation of good paying jobs," Gov. Bob Holden said. "Our agenda now must be to build better services with less money. By strengthening our partnerships, we will get through these difficult times, and in the process we will also build strong economic security for our communities, our families and our state."

To realize success, Holden acknowledged we must concentrate on implementing effective policies that promote the development and commercialization of new technologies, enhance the education and skills of our work force and increase the availability of capital resources.

"This year we have changed the focus of our conference to business development because we are keenly aware of how changing technologies, challenging recessionary conditions and the tragic events of Sept. 11 have impacted Missouri’s economy," said Missouri Dept. of Economic Development Director Joe Driskill. Driskill pledged an even greater responsiveness to the needs of the state’s business community.

At the close of the luncheon, Holden presented the 2002 Governor’s Economic Development Awards to winners in nine community and economic development categories. The Governor’s Achievement Award, the highest honor, went to Cerner Corporation, for the North Kansas City-based company’s outstanding economic development activities over the past year. The 2002 Governor’s Conference Award winners included:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Governor’s Achievement Award—Cerner Corporation, North Kansas City, Mo.
• Business Attraction and Expansion Award—Cerner Corporation, North Kansas City, Mo.
• Economic Development Marketing Program of the Year—Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
• International Volunteer Award—Missouri Association of Realtors, Columbia, Mo.
• Exporter of the Year Award—Missouri Essex Cryogenics, St. Louis, Mo.
• First Time Exporter of the Year—Haviland Corporation, Linn, Mo.
• Governor’s Small Business Award—Haviland Group Inc., St. Charles, Mo.
• Governor’s Technology Award—Personal Empowerment Technology Systems Inc., Springfield, Mo.
• Innovative Training/Workforce Development Award—Emerson Motor Division, Kennett, Mo.

Photos from the top: 1. Governor Holden presents the first of two awards to Stan Sword of Cerner Corporation; 2. Dept. of Economic Development Director Joe Driskill; 3. Dept. of Economic Development Director of Business Expansion & Attraction and Emcee Phil Tate; 4. George Dragush of Afterburner Seminars presents the Flawless Execution Model; 5. KC-based Ingram’s Magazine is prominently displayed at the conference.

 

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