LETTERS: WATCH FOR TARGET MISSOURI'S RESULTS

To the editor:

In response to your Aug. 10 editorial, I want to explain Target Missouri, a common-sense approach to improving upon the state's economic development strategies. While existing strategies have helped the private sector generate impressive growth in the state over the last four years, significant challenges remain in various parts of the state, including Southeast Missouri. In any case, we can never rest on our laurels.

Through Target Missouri, various state agencies will work together to focus on the needs of the wide range of industries which are already concentrated in Missouri and are projected to grow in the immediate future. We plan to work with the private sector, local communities and other agencies of state government to address the needs of these growing industries which, if met, will make them more likely to locate, succeed and grow in Missouri.

Rather than trying to micro-manage a robust private economy, our approach builds upon trends in the free-market economy to the advantage of Missouri's employers, entrepreneurs and workers. We believe that this initiative can, indeed, be run like a business. While businesses measure their results through profits, we will report how successful our efforts are by using measures more appropriate to a publicly funded enterprise. Some of the desired results which Target Missouri will help us achieve, and which we will measure, include increases in:

-- The number of dollars of net economic benefit to Missouri.

-- The number of dollars of investment in Missouri by businesses.

-- The number of communities experiencing an increase in their tax base.

We full expect the Legislature to hold us accountable for these results. Legislators, in turn, have granted us additional flexibility in determining how to achieve these results.

While some skepticism is certainly warranted in assessing any effort to lead and mange government like a business, we are confident our approach is a big step in the right direction, and we encourage you to watch us as we respond to the challenge.

QUENTIN WILSON, Deputy Director

Missouri Department of Economic Development

Jefferson City