By Mandi Rice, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis – Business, political and educational professionals met today to discuss ways to promote Missouri's long-term economic growth.
The committee is one of six advisory groups around the state put together by Governor Jay Nixon. He's asked the groups to come up with preliminary recommendations by December 1.
"This part of our planning process for the future isn't about cutting our way to prosperity," Nixon said at Thursday's meeting. "This is about where, correctly, should we invest our economic dollars, our economic tools, to make the most difference."
The governor also acknowledged that the groups will have to make tough decisions.
"We need your insights," Nixon said, "about which roads will lead us where we need to go and which ones won't, which emerging industries will transform Missouri's economy and which ones won't, and which investments will pay real dividends for Missouri and which ones, quite frankly, won't."
The local advisory groups report to a steering committee that will work with a four-person statewide board.