Burgeoning businesses get help in Missouri
The Missouri Business Development Center for Agriculture, Food and Forestry helps bring new entrepreneurs into the agriculture industry. In 2022, the center provided technical assistance and expertise to more than 300 producers and agribusinesses. These agriculture entrepreneurs created about 500 new jobs in the state.
The center, established through funding from the CARES Act, is a collaboration between the Missouri Small Business Development Center and University of Missouri Extension. It brings together Extension specialists and counselors who help new businesses grow with personalized assistance and access to resources they might not otherwise easily obtain. Resources include technical and business and marketing knowledge. The center is able to assist entrepreneurs locally because it is connected to local Extension offices around the state that can provide access to reliable internet and other office resources such as printers and scanners for those who may need them.
The center has also helped clients apply for grants. Last year the center’s agribusiness owners attracted more than $40 million in private loans and grants. Faculty from the center also played a major part in bringing a new, large meat processor to the St. Louis area. That facility will open in 2024 and create 1,400 new jobs.
Link to full statement on website: https://landgrantimpacts.tamu.edu/impacts/show/6260