Downing leaves CORE for DED

by David Reed

October 20,2009

Missouri CORE (Connecting Our Regional Economy) Director Mike Downing left the organization and started his new job this week as deputy director of policy and finance for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Downing, who was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon, worked at DED from 1982 to July 2008 when he was hired as CORE’s director. His previous DED position was director of the division of business and community services.   

CORE announced that the interim director will be Randy Allen, the board chair and the president and CEO of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Allen will handle CORE’s day-to-day operations during the search for a new director.”One of the things Mike Downing will be working on at DED is developing a statewide strategic economic development plan that will include partners such as CORE,” Allen said in a news release. 

“The concept of CORE is very sound,” said Downing. “Being with CORE has made me better appreciate the efforts of local economic development organizations and chambers in retaining and expanding local existing businesses, facilitating entrepreneurs-especially those that involve MU, tourism activities, and others.”

Missouri CORE is a nonprofit economic development agency founded in February 2008 that represents 12 mid-Missouri counties, including Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage and Randolph.

CORE facilitates the attraction of new businesses, promotes major projects that have a regionwide economic impact, and assists communities in the expansion of existing and start-up businesses.