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The Office of the Department Director, led by Maggie Kost, ensures that each division within the Department of Economic Development has a clear direction and works cohesively to grow the economy of Missouri. Read more about the office of the director. 

Maggie Kost, Acting Director

PO Box 1157
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573.751.4962
Fax: 573.526.7700
Email: ecodev@ded.mo.gov

Overseen by Department Deputy Director Michelle Hataway, the Administration Division provides overarching direction and ensures adequate resources are allocated to support efforts within each division. This division houses general counsel, financial systems, budget and planning, and human resources. 

Michelle Hataway, Deputy Director

PO Box 1157
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: 573.751.4962
Fax: 573.526.7700
Email: ecodev@ded.mo.gov

The Regional Engagement Division promotes regional economic growth by coordinating the delivery of tailored solutions for business retention and expansion and community development projects. This division serves as the first and primary contact for DED’s local partners and business and community customers as they access state and federal agency resources. The division consists of six regional teams that span the entire state.

Lori Becklenberg, Director

Shawna Searcy, Deputy Director

The Business and Community Solutions Division facilitates regional economic growth by addressing economic development challenges with a combination of subject matter expertise, program administration, and innovative problem solving. This division houses many of the state’s core economic development tools and programs, which are used in close collaboration with the Regional Engagement Division to develop tailored solutions for business retention and expansion and community development projects.

Christina Carver, Director

Harry S Truman State Office Building, Suite 770
301 West High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: 573.522.8892
Fax: 573.522.9462
Email: businessandcommunity@ded.mo.gov
Business and Community Programs: 573.751.4539
Redevelopment Programs: 573.522.8004
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): 573.751.3600
AmeriCorps/Community Service: 573.751.7488 or toll free 877.210.7611

The Strategy and Performance Division helps inform DED’s strategic planning, program development, and performance management. It also houses the Department’s legislative, communications, and marketing services and provides subject matter expertise in specialized areas.

Paul Eisenstein, Director

301 West High Street, Suite 720
P.O. Box 1766
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573.751.4962
Fax: 573.526.7700
Email: ded.communications@ded.mo.gov

The Missouri Division of Tourism is the administrative arm of the Missouri Tourism Commission, and it advocates for the sound development of the travel and tourism industry in Missouri.  Created by the 74th General Assembly in 1967, the Division of Tourism’s mission is to promote Missouri as a top-of-mind travel destination and to boost state revenue through increased visitor spending.

Stephen Foutes, Director

301 West High Street, Truman Building Room 290
P.O. Box 1055
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1055
Phone: 573.526.5900
Fax: 573.751.5160
Email: tourism@ded.mo.gov
Website: visitmo.com

The Missouri Film Commission - Andrea Sporcic, Film Office Specialist
Email: mofilm@ded.mo.gov
Phone: 573.526.3566
Film Location Database
Website: mofilm.org

The Missouri One Start Division fuels regional economic growth by delivering tailored workforce solutions that make businesses more competitive to aid in the creation and retention of jobs in Missouri. This division provides dedicated staff, funding assistance, and targeted marketing to assist businesses with recruiting and training workers.

Kristie Davis, Director

301 West High Street, Suite 720
P.O. Box 478
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573.522.4019
Email: kristie.davis@ded.mo.gov
Website: missourionestart.com

The Missouri Women's Council, an agency within the Department of Economic Development, was established in 1985 by the State's 83rd General Assembly to identify and address issues affecting the economic and employment status of women in Missouri. The bipartisan Council is comprised of 15 members: 11 appointed by the Governor, two Missouri State Senators, and two Missouri State Representatives with the chair appointed by the Governor. An Executive Director serves the Missouri Women’s Council and the women of Missouri.

Kellie Ann Coats

Executive Director- Missouri Women's Council
301 West High Street, Suite 580
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-0810
Fax:  (573) 751-5005
Email: wcouncil@ded.mo.gov

Website: https://ded.mo.gov/content/missouri-womens-council

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The Office of Broadband Development aims to accelerate deployment of broadband in Missouri. It was established in 2018 by the Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development to strengthen the partnerships between public and private stakeholders and align efforts to improve broadband access statewide.

BJ Tanksley, Director of Broadband Development

301 W High Street, Suite 720
P.O. Box 1157
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 522-6261
Email: bj.tanksley@ded.mo.gov
Webpage: https://ded.mo.gov/content/broadband-development

The Office of Military Advocate leads Missouri’s efforts to coordinate state and local actions to preserve and expand Missouri’s military installations and agencies, improve the quality of life and opportunities for Service members and their families, and to enhance the state’s defense industries. The Military Advocate serves as the liaison between state and federal branches of government and provides enhanced communication to Missouri government leaders and installation communities.  The Military Advocate serves as the Executive Director of the Missouri Military Preparedness and Enhancement Commission (MMPEC) and serves as an ex-officio member of MMPEC in the absence of the Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The Military Advocate serves a 6 year term in office, upon nomination by the Governor and with the advice and consent of the Missouri Senate.   The Military Advocate’s current term ends in April 2022.

The Military Advocate is charged with providing staff support to MMPEC and coordination across state government on all military and defense-related issues. Among the Office of Military Advocate's responsibilities are:

• Providing continuous oversight of state consultants that focus on the Pentagon and Congress, including the carrying out of state strategies to support Missouri's installations, defense agencies, and defense businesses;
• Serving as a single point of contact in state government for military and defense leaders and with local stakeholders;
• Providing information to communities, the general assembly, the state's congressional delegation, and state agencies regarding federal actions affecting military installations and missions;
• Serve as a clearinghouse for Defense economic adjustment and transition information and activities.

Harry Roberts

Missouri Military Advocate
Strategy & Performance Division
harry.roberts@ded.mo.gov
Office phone: 573-526-0186
Mobile phone: 573-645-2216
Website: military.ded.mo.gov

The Missouri Housing Development Commission provides financing for the construction of affordable housing and administers the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs, the Affordable Housing Assistance Program Tax Credit, and federal HOME funds. The commission also provides advisory, consultative, training, and educational services to nonprofit housing organizations.

Kip Stetzler, Executive Director

920 Main, Suite 1400
Kansas City, MO 64105
Phone: 816.759.6600
Fax: 816.301.7000
Website: www.mhdc.com

Assists infrastructure and economic development projects in Missouri by providing the critical component of the total financing for projects that have a high probability of success, but are not feasible without the Board's assistance.

Mark Stombaugh, Executive Director

200 Madison Street, Suite 1000
P.O. Box 567
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573.751.8479
Fax: 573.526.4418
Email: mdfb@ded.mo.gov

Website: www.mdfb.org/

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