Missouri Northeast is a coalition of communities and organizations cooperatively working to promote investment within a 16-county region through expansion of existing businesses, new business attraction and entrepreneurial development. These investments lead to the creation of new jobs, increased tax base for taxing jurisdictions and municipalities and diversification of the local economy.
2025 Legislative Priorities
Northeast Missouri region boasts a high quality of life with an affordable price tag.
High Priority Items
We endorse responsible legislative solutions to increase opportunities for market-rate workforce housing infrastructure in rural areas to include grant opportunities, tax credits, tax abatements, land use assessments and sales tax exemption on building materials.
HB 245/SB___ proposes the development of a rural workforce housing fund, which will provide competitive matching grants to non-profit organizations who administer workforce housing investment funds for the development of homes in rural areas.
HB 240 provides a tax credit to property developers who create rental or owner-occupied housing that is affordable to moderate-income individuals and families. The tax credits serve as a financial incentive for developers to invest in workforce housing.
Missouri used ARPA funds to provide grants for industrial site development, improving site readiness statewide and addressing the shortage of shovel-ready sites. We support continued funding for the Industrial Site Development Grant and encourage distribution across both rural and urban areas. Additionally, local match requirements should account for local capacity, as seen in Kentucky’s similar program with 10% match for rural areas.
By enhancing transportation options, attracting businesses, and supporting local industries, public port authorities significantly contribute to the economic vitality of rural Northeast Missouri.
We endorse policy changes to create sustainable childcare models in rural Missouri by shifting away from a market rate survey method towards a cost of care model for adequate reimbursement rates, as well as shifting toward paying reimbursements based on monthly enrollment rather than on attendance. In addition, it is recommended to:
- Repurpose Pre-K Grants for Child Care Facilities (MOQPK). In 2024, $26M was appropriated to this program, but less than $1M was awarded to only 22 applicants. By repurposing these funds to include funding childcare facilities and programs, it would also meet the demand for more infant and toddler slots as well as achieve high quality preschool in childcare facilities.
- Support tax credit programs for childcare like those submitted to the legislature in 2023 & 24.
We support continued investment and expansion of the major traffic and logistic highway corridors in our region, including US 36, US 61, US 63, US 54 and US 136 to expand economic development opportunities and increase safety. We support funding to study transportation projects including alternate routes for Highway 61 in Hannibal and Highway 63 in Macon.
We are committed to advocating for policies that ensure the reliability, capacity and affordability of electric utilities across the state. As we look toward the future, it is imperative that our energy policies reflect the needs of both our communities and industries, fostering an environment where economic growth and reliable energy go hand-in-hand.
Things That Work
We support and appreciate grant funding of broadband to ensure the unserved and underserved have access to reliable and affordable internet service. While we continue working towards connecting ALL Missourians, we must continue to fight for the Universal Service Fund (USF) essential for nearly 30 years. We believe the USF contribution framework is constitutional. Our hope is that the current system should continue to apply and govern without substantial disruption. If USF should go away, customers would likely see on average a $73 monthly increase in their telecommunications cost.
Through collaboration Missouri Northeast has made huge strides around workforce housing in the past year. Housing Enhancement Northeast, a project started through a partnership with Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission, Tri-County Electric Co-operative, and Northeast Power Electric Co-operative. Housing Enhancement Northeast is a revolving fund utilized to develop and sell workforce housing at cost throughout the NEMO RPC region. This program by spring 2025 will have 6 developments going at a time with a goal of building 12 homes a year.
Missouri Northeast supports opportunities to connect students with employers through programs that engage students and school personnel like RootEd, teacher externships, and real-world learning.
- We support strengthening the rural workforce through investments like the $1.9 million allocated to Hannibal Public Schools in 2023 for the Hannibal Innovation Campus. This facility will provide workforce development opportunities for both traditional and non-traditional students, equipping them with the skills needed for tomorrow’s jobs. Additional state funding for similar projects will enhance our ability to meet employer needs.
The organization appreciates the efforts to enhance and expand multimodal opportunities such as Mississippi River access that further strengthen the region’s position as a logistics center for the nation. The legislature’s continued support of the Governor’s Rural Route Program and the $100 million annual allocation of general revenue funds since the FY23 budget has been greatly impactful in helping address poor pavement conditions and improving safety on many important roads in Northeast Missouri.
We support continued funding related to existing Department of Economic Development incentive programs such as Missouri Works, Missouri One Start and Missouri Fasttrack.
- We encourage shifting away from a 'jobs-created' model to an 'investment' model of capital expenditures and productivity.
- An impactful project in NEMO looks different than an impactful project in a metropolitan area
If 20 new jobs are added in Hannibal, that would be like adding 2,176 jobs in the St. Louis Metro area.- If 20 new jobs are added in Macon, that would be like adding 4,364 jobs in the St. Louis Metro area.
- In other more rural areas of NEMO, adding jobs would be an even bigger change compared to St. Louis.
