This EDA investment funds the southern missouri innovation network project, which aims to accelerate technology-based economic development across a 47-county area that is 71% rural and historically…

The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration awarded a $8.056 million project grant under the BUILD TO SCALE federal grant program to the Marquette TECH District Foundation Inc. The grant funds the Southern Missouri Innovation Network project, which aims to accelerate technology-based economic development across a predominantly rural, historically distressed 47-county region. The project combines efforts from Missouri State University and the Codefi Foundation to help increase the supply, demand, and network impacts of technology-based economic development. Specifically, the project is expected to create and scale 75 new technology companies, create 150 high-wage jobs, and attract $20 million in follow-on capital once completed by October 2025.

This EDA investment funds the southern missouri innovation network project, which aims to accelerate technology-based economic development across a 47-county area that is 71% rural and historically distressed. The project will combine efforts from missouri state university and the codefi foundation. The codefi foundation was originally started as the marquette tech district foundation in 2016 as part of a downtown revitalization effort in cape girardeau, but has now expanded its mission to support underserved populations in rural communities throughout the region. The project will help increase the supply, demand, and network impacts of technology-based economic development across the southern missouri area. Once completed, the project is expected to create and scale 75 new technology companies, create 150 high-wage jobs, and attract $20 million in follow-on capital.