Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Nixon appoints Downing as director of economic development

(From Gov. Jay Nixon)

Gov. Jay Nixon today named Mike Downing as the new director of theDepartment of Economic Development (DED). Downing is currently the acting director of the department.
The announcement comes as Missouri added 43,900 jobs in 2013 - more than all but nine other states in the nation - and the state's unemployment rate fell to 6.1 percent, its lowest point since August 2008.
"With more than 30 years of service in the field of economic development, Mike is one of the most experienced and respected economic development officials in the country," Gov. Nixon said.  "With Mike at the helm, Missouri has attracted significant investments by major employers such as Express Scripts, Cerner, Ford, GM and Monsanto, helping make the Show-Me State a top 10 state for job growth over the past year.  I look forward to seeing Mike's leadership continue to pay dividends for Missouri families, communities and businesses."
Before becoming acting director, Downing served as deputy director and director of business development for DED, and has more than 30 years of experience in the field. He has helped lead initiatives to revive Missouri's automotive manufacturing industry, support small businesses, and implement the Governor's Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth. 
A native of Kennett, Downing first joined DED in 1982 and served under Governors Bond, Ashcroft, Carnahan, Holden, Wilson and Blunt. He then served as the executive director of the Missouri CORE Partnership, a nonprofit economic development agency in mid-Missouri, before returning to DED in 2010. 
Downing has been certified as a CEcD, a Certified Economic Developer, by the International Economic Development Council since 1998. He is also a member of the Missouri Economic Development Council, the Missouri Economic Development Financing Association, and both the Economic Development Committee and the Attracting New Business Committee at the University of Missouri. He earned a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and his bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University.
The appointment will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

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