{"id":893,"date":"2018-04-04T13:57:29","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T13:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/MGA-1\/?page_id=893"},"modified":"2024-12-16T09:56:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T14:56:57","slug":"economic-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/midwesterngovernors.org\/economic-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Core Issue<\/p>

Economic Development<\/h1><\/div>

Today, the Midwest is home to major sectors of the U.S. economy – manufacturing, agriculture, energy and tourism. Midwestern governors are always seeking production opportunities to increase economic growth and create jobs in their individual states and the region.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

America continues to be the largest manufacturer in the world, with the Midwest contributing significantly toward the country’s output. New energy industries in the Midwest are emerging as focal points for job creation and retention. A number of recent studies suggest that new energy industries can create as many as 1.2 million jobs over the next decade, with as much as a third of those in high-wage, high-skill manufacturing and construction jobs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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John Kasich’s 2018 Chair Agenda Agile Workforce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technology\u2019s profound and transformative impact on our society and workforce will not cease. In fact, its impact is increasing at such a rapid pace today that we can expect it to soon reach critical mass in the form of a disruption that will soon create jobs currently unimaginable. Ultimately, this disruption will lead to increased productivity and prosperity, but adjusting to it will require our region to retain and recruit the brightest minds and hardest workers, as well as leverage existing strengths in new ways.
To be prepared, Midwestern states must be on the forefront of anticipating change. The chair\u2019s agenda will explore this challenge by looking at how education and training intersects with our region\u2019s strengths in infrastructure, advanced technology, automation and energy, to allow the Midwest to be a premier location for success far into the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Truck Driver Shortage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A shortage of truck drivers is a rapidly growing problem in MGA states.\u00a0Nearly 70 percent of freight moved in the U.S. goes by truck, particularly in the manufacturing heavy Midwest. The trucker shortage is estimated to be at least 48,000 drivers nationwide, and will grow to about 175,000 drivers by 2024.\u00a0In 2016 the MGA will focus on the truck driver shortage in the Midwest as part of the America\u2019s Smartland Discussion Series.The MGA will bring together state government staff, relevant associations, and impacted businesses for a series of conference calls on varying related topics. Then the MGA will host a day-long meeting to discuss this issue, as well as industry needs, share best practices, gain a better understanding of the issue, and review potential solutions and unifying issues to increase the interest in and number of truck drivers in the Midwest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mentoring Working Group<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kansas Governor Brownback was the 2016 Chair of the MGA and his agenda focused on promoting the benefits of mentoring as a method to reduce poverty in the Midwest.Despite the globally recognized regional attributes of the Midwest, there are some in the region that are living in poverty. States continue to lead on policies, programs and assistance for those in need. However, the complexity of this issue does not allow for a one-size-fits-all solution. Fortunately, there are a lot of regional similarities and opportunities for sharing best practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of this effort, the MGA establishes a working group of Midwesterners from a wide-spectrum including governors\u2019 and state agency staff, academia, community groups and other leaders in their states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Exploring Poverty Reduction Strategies and Advancement Opportunities in the Midwest<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) held a regional poverty summit, Exploring Poverty Reduction Strategies and Advancement Opportunities in the Midwest, in Kansas City. Stakeholders from governors\u2019 offices, state agencies, non-profits and other sectors who are leading efforts to reduce poverty and expand opportunities in the Midwest, discussed rural housing, measurable metrics, workforce preparedness, community and career navigation, rural connectivity, federal barriers and approaches to men.

This summit was part of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback\u2019s agenda as MGA Chair focusing on poverty reduction and expanding regional opportunities.\u00a0The agenda\u00a0builds upon bimonthly conference calls convened by the MGA to help initiate the sharing of best practices and the identification of opportunities for collaboration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Investment<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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With the economic downturn and historic losses in manufacturing jobs, embracing the new energy economy can better position the Midwest for today\u2019s economy while leveraging our significant agricultural and manufacturing resources.

Over the past several years, governors have positioned the region as a global leader in the energy economy through their focus on ambitious regional energy goals and workforce development strategies. Ensuring sufficient investment opportunities will promote business, drive innovation and establish the Midwest as a global leader and job creator.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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