Exceed - Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development

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Exceed - Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development

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University of Missouri Extension Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development

University of Missouri Extension's Exceed program focuses on regional economic and entrepreneurial development. Exceed assists decision-makers with data-driven regional economic development strategies and industry studies. We routinely partner with businesses, communities, regions, governments, and nonprofits to enhance economic and entrepreneurial opportunities. Learn more by visiting our website: https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/exceed-community-economic-and-entrepreneurial-development

10/27/2026

What if the biggest barrier to growing a small business isn’t finding new customers, but finding somewhere to put the products they want to buy?

As businesses expand, lack of access to storage and logistics infrastructure can be a critical barrier to growth.

Over the past ten years, the U.S. warehouse and storage industry has experienced strong growth. Jobs expanded by 77% between 2015 and 2020, followed by slower but still robust growth of 29% between 2020 and 2025. By comparison, overall employment in the U.S. grew just 11% during the latter period.

Read the latest Missouri Economy Indicators brief to explore how the industry is growing in Missouri. Link in the comments below.

10/22/2026

Watch this brief video for tips on finding in-demand jobs using occupational projections.

10/22/2026

Career opportunities are constantly evolving, and understanding which occupations are expected to grow can help students, job seekers, educators, and communities make informed decisions about the future. The Missouri Economic Research & Information Center (MERIC) provides occupational projection data that highlight workforce trends and identify jobs expected to be in high demand across the state.

For example, Missouri's occupational projections show strong growth in several high-skill careers requiring a bachelor's degree or advanced education. Nurse practitioners are projected to grow by 39% from 2024 to 2034, while data scientists are expected to increase by 34% statewide. Exploring these trends provides valuable insights into the careers shaping Missouri's future workforce.

Watch the video in the prior post for a tutorial on how to use MERIC’s occupational projections. For additional information or questions, contact Alan Spell or Luke Dietterle of Exceed.

10/15/2026

Energy affects nearly every aspect of daily life, from powering homes and businesses to influencing household budgets. The Institute for Progress provides U.S. Energy Data, which contains valuable information to help users explore energy trends across Missouri and the United States.

For example, Missouri's energy price data reveal a long-term decline in electricity costs when adjusted for inflation. In 2025, the average residential electricity price in Missouri was 12.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared to 14.8 cents in 2015. Commercial and industrial electricity prices have also declined over the past decade, helping businesses manage operating costs. Looking at these trends helps provide context for how energy costs have evolved over time.

Explore the data using the link in the comments. For additional information or questions, contact Alan Spell or Luke Dietterle of Exceed.

10/06/2026

Americans aged 65 and older have roughly doubled their median net worth since 1992, outpacing gains of younger households.

What could that mean for Missouri communities? Relatively low living costs, proximity to metro areas, and access to outdoor recreation could give rural communities an opportunity to attract more retirees and the economic activity they bring.

Read the latest Missouri Economy Indicators brief to explore how the wealth of older households is shaping Missouri's economy. Link in the comments below.

10/01/2026

In August, Luke Dietterle of Exceed earned the Certified Economic Research Professional (CERP) designation, in part for his work examining the high economic costs of inadequate childcare access in Missouri.

His research revealed that the estimated annual cost to businesses and governments in Missouri in lost productivity, employee turnover, and lost wages/tax revenues is estimated to exceed $1.14 billion.

This credential is the industry standard for recognizing excellence in economic research and embodies the applied skills of economic, demographic, industry, and workforce analysis. CERPs undertake rigorous evaluation of their research experience and leadership to earn this designation.

09/24/2026

Whether you’re a job seeker, an employer, or someone interested in understanding regional labor markets, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data can help you explore employment trends and better understand the economic conditions affecting communities across Missouri and beyond.

For example, new BLS data show that unemployment rates decreased in 62% of U.S. metropolitan areas in July, indicating a continued tightness in the national labor market.

All eight metropolitan areas in Missouri reported lower unemployment rates compared to the previous year. Chicago and Oklahoma City, larger metropolitan areas in neighboring states, saw unemployment rates increase. These differences provide insight into how employment trends vary across states and regions.

Explore the data using the link in the comments. For additional information or questions, contact Alan Spell or Luke Dietterle of Exceed.

09/15/2026

How many Americans are working multiple jobs? The number is relatively small, but an increasing share of Americans’ work now takes place outside a single, traditional employer.

In 2025, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 8.8 million people held multiple jobs—5.4% of U.S. workers. About 5 million supplemented a full-time primary job with part-time work. A smaller share (417,000) worked two full-time jobs.

Across nearly all categories, more Americans worked multiple jobs in 2025 than in 2015. Growth was highest for middle-career workers (aged 25-54) and non-white Americans.

Find the latest Missouri Economy Indicators brief on the Exceed website. Link in the comments below.

09/09/2026

What are Missouri households able to spend or save after paying taxes? The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) defines this as disposable personal income, or personal income minus personal taxes.

Despite trailing Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska in median disposable personal income, Missouri’s growth rate since 2012 surpassed all eight neighboring states. In 2024, the median personal disposable income in Missouri was $94,399—31 percentage points higher than 2012, when it was $72,066. Tennessee experienced the second highest growth rate at 25.6 percentage points.

A new Income Distribution Analysis Tool from the BEA lets you build custom tables and charts to visualize these data. Explore the tool using the link in the comments below. If you have questions or need help using the tool, contact Alan Spell or Luke Dietterle of Exceed.

09/02/2026

What do Missouri graduates in your major typically earn? Some majors, like engineering, often lead to higher starting salaries. Others, such as business, may start with lower pay but offer strong earnings growth as graduates gain experience.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) tool makes it easy to explore earnings and employment outcomes for college graduates by degree level, major, institution, and state. In Missouri, for example, the data shows a noticeable long-term earnings gap by field of study.

Whether you’re a prospective student, a parent, or an advisor helping someone weigh their options, the PSEO tool can help you understand how a major connects to long-term career outcomes.

Explore the data using the link in the comments. For additional information or questions, contact Alan Spell or Luke Dietterle of Exceed.

Address

1100 University Avenue
Columbia, MO
65211

Website

https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/exceed-community-economic-and-entrepreneurial-development

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