REDI Blog

Columbia, Missouri is ranked #23 on the list of Best Cities for Job Growth in the Small Cities category by Newgeography.

The methodology for the 2010 rankings emphasizes the robustness of a region’s growth both recently and over time. It allows the rankings to include all of the metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports monthly employment data. The data reflect the North American Industry Classification System categories, including total nonfarm employment, manufacturing, financial services, business and professional services, educational and health services, information, retail and wholesale trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and government.

REDI Vice President Bernie Andrews and staff from MURR (MU Research Reactor Center) recently attended the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s (SNM) 57^th Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is considered the “premier event for educational and networking opportunities in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine.”  SNM is an international scientific and professional organization that was founded in 1954 to promote the application and technology of nuclear medicine.  For more information about the annual meeting, check out their website:  http://www.eshow2000.com/snm/2010/welcome.cfm.

Attending the meeting really emphasized how important it is to promote and develop high-tech businesses.  Establishing connections with area businesses, including those with a technology focus like MURR, is just one example of how REDI is taking strides to develop Columbia’s economy and encourage the expansion of high-tech companies.   The MURR is the largest university-operated nuclear research reactor in the United States, and thus provides a great benefit to Mid-Missouri through its emphasis on research and development, education, and products and services that relate to biotechnology and nuclear medicine.  The research reactor continues to investigate diagnoses and treatments of cancers and other diseases.  MURR researchers and engineers have continued to work closely with the University of Missouri, particularly with the School of Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine, in analyzing treatments that benefit humans and animals.

The economic feasibility that companies like MURR provides to Columbia is what REDI continues to obtain through attending conferences and trade shows.  REDI’s participation in the SNM annual meeting is key to promoting the assets like MURR that Columbia currently has, as well as attracting similar businesses to develop in the area and positively impact the city’s economy.

Discovery Ridge Research Park has a new director!  It was announced yesterday that Greg Williams, has been appointed the Director of the University of Missouri System Research Parks, including the Missouri Research Park in St. Charles County, the Research Park at the University of Missouri-St. Louis,  Innovation Park at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Discovery Ridge Research Park here in Columbia.  Discovery Ridge Research Park is central Missouri’s newest research park and currently has two tenants that have nearly 300 employees.

These research parks are a viable asset to the university and the state of Missouri overall.  As Mike Nichols, Vice President of Research and Economic Development for the University of Missouri System, states, “these parks…[are] key to enhancing the university’s public/private partnerships and spurring the state’s economy.  These parks help start-up and established businesses bring innovations to the marketplace that result in more jobs and new tax revenues to the state.”

With experience as the Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Springfield and Executive Director for the Randolph County/Moberly Economic Development Corporation and Brookfield-Marceline Economic Development Council, Mr. Williams’ leadership is sure to expand the current area’s development and enhance the strong relationship that the research parks have with REDI.  We look forward to working with Mr. Williams on fostering the growth of the research parks and continuing the emphasis on technological innovation for the area.

Welcome to Columbia, Mr. Williams!