Extension Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (EXCEED)
Emerson FY 2010 Request: $299,555
Account: Small Business Administration – Salaries and Expenses
Intended Recipient: University of Missouri System, University Hall, 1100 Carrie Francke Drive, Columbia, MO 65211
Rural Communities in Missouri are losing their young talent at a rapid rate, largely as a result of a lack of perceived opportunities. The University of Missouri Extension’s ExCEED program is working to help communities overcome this growing problem by promoting entrepreneurship. On behalf of University of Missouri (MU) Extension, I would respectfully request $299,555 to promote economic development in the Mississippi River Hills Region and the Ozark Heritage Region.

MU Extension has been engaged with communities in the Mississippi River Hills and Ozark Heritage Regions for the past three years and has already demonstrated impressive economic development. With the approval of this request, funds would be available to continue engagement with projects to create additional business starts, expansions and job growth as well as community stabilization, regional economic growth, and youth engagement and retention. The requested funds will allow the Mississippi River Hills Association to expand the current part-time Executive Director position to full-time. The addition of a full-time salaried employee will allow for increased coordination with local extension councils and continued resource sharing to increase participation, regional visibility, and expanded business opportunities and sales. In addition, the requested funds would add a part-time youth entrepreneurship coordinator. The future of rural communities lie with our young people; introducing them to self-employment and business development opportunities, providing mentors and providing access to start-up capital is a critical means of creating lasting change. The requested funds will allow the Ozark Heritage Region to expand the entrepreneurship education and business counseling to all age levels, working closely with a new Ozarks Small Business Incubator.

Improving Girls Financial Literacy
FY 2010 Emerson Request: $500,000
Account: Small Business Administration – Salaries and Expenses
Intended Recipient: Girl Scouts of the USA, 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
For almost 100 years, Girl Scouts has made financial literacy an integral part of programming and activities. The Girl Scout cookie sale program teaches girls of all ages the fundamentals of budgeting, goal-setting, good business practices, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and leadership. While these programs and activities have benefited girls and their ability to develop financial literacy skills, Girl Scouts seeks to expand and deepen our impact by creating a comprehensive, universal, age-appropriate Girl Scout financial literacy “journey.”

Education and training can provide crucial life skills and tools to help girls control their financial resources. To be successful and sustainable, financial education must begin early, continue throughout elementary and secondary education and be relevant. Furthermore, after-school and community-based programs can be effective in complementing formal education, and helping girls learn money management in real-world, practical settings.

This $500,000 request would support research to ensure that journeys are age-appropriate, effective and evidence based; development and creation of materials for the six levels of Girl Scouting; training materials for volunteers; development of web-based materials; Spanish language translation; and other activities to ensure that this program is successful.

Ozarks Small Business Incubator
Emerson FY10 Request: $500,000
Account: Small Business Administration – Salaries and Expenses
Intended Recipient: Downtown West Plains, Inc., 401 Jefferson Ave., West Plains, MO 65775
The Ozarks Small Business Incubator, when completed, will provide personalized assistance to small business entrepreneurs by supporting their efforts with business related education, financial guidance, business plan development, mentoring, and access to tangible resources such as building space, a shipping dock, and shared office equipment. The Small Business Incubator’s mission is to facilitate the development of strong, locally owned small businesses. This is a mission that has already received robust local, state and federal support in the form of federal and state grants along with local financial support. The Ozarks Small Business Incubator is scheduled to begin operation next month in 150 sq. feet of temporary office space provided by the West Plains Chamber of Commerce. This $500,000 request will allow the Downtown West Plains, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation, to complete the exterior and interior renovation of the 100 year old building which will house the Small Business Incubator. To date, $87,000 in USDA funds, $400,000 in CDBG funds, and $150,000 in funds raised locally have been utilized to complete 85% of the exterior.