February 24, 2006
Governor’s Column
Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative
Together we are moving Missouri forward by capitalizing on our new found entrepreneurial spirit in the fields of biotechnology, plant and animal sciences, and other life science endeavors. These industries are already providing $24 billion in annual economic benefit and thousands of high-paying jobs in our state. These fields represent the next great expansion of opportunity for Missourians. I want to continue to position Missouri as a national and global leader in this emerging area which is why I created the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.
The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is a forward thinking investment in economic growth and education in key industries. It is an exciting opportunity for our state to position itself as the leader in expanding fields of study and to give back to Missouri college students and their universities.
By taking advantage of assets available to the state today, this bold initiative will secure $450 million that will benefit Missouri’s public institutions of higher learning to help enhance and facilitate growth in our emerging biotechnology and life sciences industries. The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) has proposed selling a portion of their assets and donating them to the state to fund this progressive initiative.
The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative will provide $300 million for capital improvement projects, $100 million for student scholarships, $30 million to enhance growth and development of technology businesses all across our state and $20 million for endowed professorships at universities throughout the state.
The initiative that I have proposed includes a package of 20 capital improvement projects, most of which had already been approved by the Coordinating Board of Higher Education and include plant science research centers, health science research and education centers, business incubators and the renovation of other spaces that will support the training and research of professionals in the sciences, which includes doctors and nurses.
The proposal has garnered the support of university presidents, chancellors, student groups, and trade organizations across the state.
Discussion of this proposal is unfolding, and I look forward to continued dialogue in the coming weeks. Together as a state we must decide whether or not we want to be a leader in biotechnology and life sciences. This is our opportunity and we must take advantage of it. We must not allow naysayers to stand in the way of progress and the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative and the promise it holds for all Missourians.