Economic Development Expert Craig Joins MCC Staff

Jessica Craig has joined the staff of MCC as performance manager of economic development for the Institute for Workforce Innovation.

Craig came to MCC from the Missouri Department of Economic Development where she worked as a field project manager for seven years. In that role, she coordinated business recruitment and expansion activities which included crafting incentive packages for companies. She worked with businesses across the Greater Kansas City region and was responsible for business development in the life sciences industry, including the Animal Health Corridor.
At MCC, Craig will be responsible for economic development

Gov. Jay Nixon announces economic growth plans at MCC-Maple Woods

At his press conference at MCC-Maple Woods, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced several objectives aimed at growing employment opportunities in the Kansas City area and statewide. Nixon revealed the findings of his executive advisory board for economic planning and announced his five-year Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth, naming seven targeted industries that will be the focus of development for the next several years.

Among them, animal and plant science is a major economic driver in the Kansas City Metro area, which is part of Missouri’s impressive animal health corridor. Topping Nixon’s list of objectives is preparing the workforce with the skills they need to compete for jobs. MCC-Maple Woods’ veterinary technology program trains students with a nearly 100% board exam and job success rate, compared to around 75% for other animal science programs and is one of MCC’s key career programs.

MCC as a whole is creating new classes, programs and certificates designed to meet the governor’s objective as part of the Training for Tomorrow initiative, also designed to help Missourians re-enter the workforce.

The report is only a preliminary step in the process, however, as the board will continue to meet with regional business, labor, education and economic development officials to develop plans for meeting the governor’s strategic objectives in the target industries, which also include advanced manufacturing, transportation, health sciences, information technology, financial and professional services, and energy.

Nixon’s other objectives include retaining and expanding existing businesses, optimizing tax credits, investing in technology and innovation, aggressively marketing the state, developing the state's foreign trade efforts, encouraging small- and minority business development, and providing an infrastructure for companies and communities to be successful.

Mark James speaks at Belton E.D.C. meeting

MCC Chancellor Mark James announces a new partnership between MCC and UCM that will establish a higher education presence in Belton, Mo.

A new partnership between MCC and the University of Central Missouri will give Cass County residents easier access to higher education. The partnership, which is still in the formative phase, will include continuing professional education, workforce training, associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs and other services.

MCC and UCM will open a joint temporary office at the Heritage office building in Belton, near MO-58 Highway. The current plan does not include building an actual campus in the county.
Additional information on this exciting new partnership will be forthcoming as it continues to develop.