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Chamber 2030 report projects Missouri in top 10 states for technology growth

ST. LOUIS — A recently released report is projecting the Show-Me State to be among the top 10 states for technology industry growth over the next five years. 

The Missouri Chamber Foundation released the new report on Wednesday at the Missouri Chamber’s Technology 2030 Conference in St. Louis.

The report, written by a nationally-recognized economic consultant, report notes a trend of decentralization in the tech industry driven by technology filtering into every aspect of our modern economy. As the industry spreads out from its traditional base in coastal cities, the report argues Missouri is well-poised to benefit.

“The state remains a relatively low-cost option compared to coastal cities. Kansas City and St. Louis have earned national reputations as outstanding locations for tech businesses. All the while, pockets of inspiring innovation are happening in Missouri’s mid-sized cities and small communities across the state,” according to authors Ted Abernathy and Sara Casey of Economic Leadership.

The report also finds that:

  • The tech sector contributes 264,230 direct and indirect jobs to the economy, comprising 9 percent of the Missouri workforce.
  • In the next year, Missouri will outpace the United States, the Midwest and the South in tech sector growth.
  • Missouri ranks 6th in the nation in the percentage of tech jobs held by women.
  • Missouri is in the top 10 states for diversity in the tech industry.
  • Missouri’s tech manufacturing industry has grown by almost 30 percent in the last five years.

The full report is available now at mochamber.com/tech-report. Missouri Chamber President and CEO Daniel P. Mehan said the Missouri Chamber will use this new research to unite the state’s tech industry and work with policymakers to ensure Missouri can capitalize on our state’s potential.

“We’ve long said that technology is the future of our economy. The Technology 2030 report makes it clearer than ever that the future is now,” said Mehan. “To make the most of today’s positive trends, Missouri must make progress on several fronts. We need to improve our broadband and transportation infrastructure. We need to continue our focus on preparing our workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow. We also need to be aggressive in our efforts to attract tech investment to our cities and to smaller communities across the state. As we reach this exciting turning point for our state’s economy, the Missouri Chamber is ready to lead the effort to expand the technology economy in our state.”