The Tri-State Development Regional Report

news & updates

SEPT 2024 | Issue 22

Upcoming Events

OCTOBER

2-3: Tri-State Development Summit

October 2-3, 2024

Catfish Bend Convention & Event Center

Burlington, Iowa

Click here to register

30: Community Change Model Workshop with Maggie Strong. Register here. There is no cost to attend the workshop thanks to our generous Tri-State Development sponsors.

NOVEMBER

22: AI in the Heartland: Empowering Rural Businesses and Non-Profits Workshop. Register here. There is no cost to attend the workshop thanks to our generous Tri-State Development sponsors.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Unlocking Rural Prosperity through Education

Students across the region have returned to school, providing an opportunity to reflect on the role that education plays in fostering economic development, especially in our rural communities. The data from our 42 counties show promising trends in educational attainment, but also highlight areas for improvement to ensure that the next generation is equipped to drive prosperity in the region.

In regions where industries are shifting or declining, a well-educated workforce attracts new businesses and encourages innovation, ensuring long-term sustainability. Education also fosters leadership and community involvement, helping rural areas overcome challenges like population decline and limited resources.

Education is more than just an individual achievement; it’s a key factor in building a thriving workforce, attracting businesses, and sustaining economic growth. By focusing on increasing high school graduation rates and expanding access to higher education, we can create a pathway for long-term rural success.

This month’s data reveals a snapshot of our region’s educational progress, and with continued investment, we can move toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Tri-State Regional Education Data

As a region, we have made significant progress in overall educational attainment in the last 50+ years.

Across all 42 counties, the percentage of people not completing high school has significantly decreased from the 1970s to 2018-2022, reflecting positive gains in educational attainment.

High school completion rates have consistently improved across the region, with some counties showing over a 20% increase since 1970.

While high school graduation rates have risen, college attainment has shown less consistent growth, indicating a need for more focused efforts on higher education access.

In comparison to other counties in the region, Missouri counties have shown a slightly higher rate of college attainment in recent years.

The rate of regional residents that begin college but don't complete a degree program is also on the increase. Although we lack specific data on how close the average student in the Tri-State region is to earning their degree, on average, students who leave college without completing are typically just 12-15 credits away from graduation. This reflects a significant opportunity—by focusing efforts on supporting these students, rural communities can help them cross the finish line, which in turn will boost the region's ability to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Apologies for the difficult to read chart. Click on the image to pull up a larger picture.

In 1970, nearly half (48.74%) of the population in the TSD region had not completed high school, compared to 55.9% in the rural U.S. By 2018-2022, this figure dropped dramatically to 10.14% in TSD, reflecting substantial progress in high school completion, mirroring a similar trend in the rural U.S. (12.1%).

The percentage of people completing some college rose sharply in the TSD region, from 8.79% in 1970 to 30.4% in 2018-2022. This growth is slightly higher than the rural U.S., which saw an increase from 12.3% in 1980 to 30.8% in 2018-2022. This suggests a growing recognition of the value of post-secondary education in both our region and the rest of rural America.

The TSD region saw steady improvement in college completion rates, increasing from 6.25% in 1970 to 19.33% by 2018-2022. While this is a positive trend, it is still somewhat lower than the rural U.S. average of 21.5% for the same period, indicating there is room for further growth in higher education attainment in the TSD region.

The percentage of individuals who completed high school but did not pursue further education has remained relatively stable over the decades in both TSD and the rural U.S., hovering around 40%. This indicates that while more individuals are graduating from high school, a significant proportion are not moving on to higher education.

Interested in more data?

Click on the links below to explore county level education trends.

Illinois Tri-State Counties Iowa Tri-State Counties Missouri Tri-State Counties

Workshop Opportunities

Community Change Model Workshop

Maggie Strong

The Community Change Model provides a framework designed to drive positive and sustainable change through three phases: Discover, Plan, and Thrive. In the Discover phase, you'll learn to gather insights and data by engaging all community members. The Plan phase focuses on creating a shared vision and aligning stakeholders. Finally, in the Thrive phase, we'll develop actionable strategies, identify resources, and assign responsibilities to ensure successful implementation. By the end of this workshop, you'll have the tools to guide your community toward a shared vision and tangible results.

Location:

The Knowledge Center at Chaddock

205 S. 24th Street, Quincy, 62301

Date & Time

Oct 30, 2024 at 10:00am–Oct 30, 2024 at 2:00pm CT

Through the generous support of Tri-State Development sponsors we are able to offer this workshop at no charge. Registration is required.

AI in the Heartland: Empowering Rural Businesses and Non-Profits

Andrew Skattebo

Discover how AI can transform your business or non-profit in our hands-on workshop. Think of AI as a business coach with a team of assistants helping you reach your goals. Get practical demos on using AI to attract top talent, enhance customer service, streamline content creation, improve training, and more. Learn what’s working now, where AI falls short, and how to 'hire' AI to boost productivity. Walk away with actionable ideas and a plan to start leveraging AI immediately.

Location:

Culver-Stockton College (Meaders Lounge in the Gladys Crown Center), One College Hill, Canton, MO 63435

Date and Time

Fri, Nov 22, 2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT

Through the generous support of Tri-State Development sponsors we are able to offer this workshop at no charge. Registration is required.

Announcing the Launch of

1 Million Cups

in the Tri-State Region!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Tri-State 1 Million Cups program, a national initiative that brings entrepreneurs, business leaders, and the community together over coffee to foster entrepreneurship in our region! This exciting program is designed to support local startups and small businesses, providing a forum where they can present their ideas, connect with community professionals, and receive valuable feedback.

Hosted by a team of dedicated volunteers, 1 Million Cups is more than just a meeting—it's an opportunity to build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem right here in the Tri-State area. Each week, we'll spotlight one to two local startups, giving them a chance to share their stories, and their challenges, as the community provides valuable insight, advice, and connection.

The goal is simple: to build a thriving entrepreneurial community where every startup has access to the support and encouragement they need to succeed. With the launch of the 1 Million Cups Tri-State program, we’re taking a major step forward in creating a more connected, innovative, and dynamic business environment.

Join us each week, meet fellow entrepreneurs, share your own business experiences, and be part of the growing momentum in the Tri-State region. Let’s make our mornings count—one cup at a time!

We will meet every Wednesday at 9:00am, alternating meeting locations between Quincy and Hannibal as we work together to build a connected, collaborative ecosystem to support entrepreneurship! Stay tuned! We are headed to Iowa next!

Wednesday, October 23rd at 9:00am: Hannibal, MO

HomeBank Community Room (downstairs), 3817 McMasters Ave Hannibal, MO 63401

Wednesday, October 30th at 9:00am: Quincy, IL

Quincy Public Library, 526 Jersey St, Quincy, IL 62301

1millioncups.com/tri-state

NEW MASTERS PROGRAM NOW ENROLLING

The 100% online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program at Culver-Stockton College can help you advance your career in just one year. The most recent C-SC alumni survey shows that 26.7% of our graduates saw a salary increase of 20% or more after completing their degree. Programs start year-round—learn more and apply for free at culver.edu/maol!

JUST 2 WEEKS AWAY!

October 2-3, 2024

Catfish Bend Convention & Event Center

Burlington, Iowa

Click here to register

Here's What You Can Expect

RSVP for the events that you will attend when you register online.

Breakfast and lunch are provided with registration!

Agenda: Oct. 2nd

Choose from a variety of informative and dynamic experiences that showcase local economic development projects.

The Economic Development Essentials Workshop
Advanced Manufacturing Plant Tour (Silgan)
Downtown Revitalization Stroll
Networking Event at The Night Cap

Agenda: Oct. 3rd

Don't miss this opportunity to gather with our regional community for updates on Tri-State projects and programs, informational sessions, and inspiring insights on the topics impacting our regional economic growth.

Check out this line-up of presentations!

Scheduled Breakout Sessions

Childcare Solutions That Can Work!
Artificial Intelligence: Rural's Unfair Advantage
Ports As Business Clusters
Attract Top Talent: Workforce Recruiting Strategies for Rural Communities
The Power of Authentic Engagement in Community Planning
Building Welcoming Communities: Embracing Diversity in Small Midwestern Towns

Confirmed Lightning Talks

If They Don't Think You're Crazy, You Aren't Thinking Big Enough!
The Turban-Ator: Fighting Stereotypes and Single Stories
Prepping for a Site Visit: People, Get Ready!
A Case for Higher Ed in the Tri-State Region
Collaboration Catalyst: Building a Thriving EntrepreneurshipEcosystem
Fields of Fortune: Harnessing Agritourism for Rural Prosperity

Informative Panel Discussions and Conversation

Workforce Housing in the Tri-State Region
Broadband Unplugged: Everything Providers Wish You Knew
Transportation Investments in the Tri-States
Incentivizing Growth: A Candid Conversation with Debi Durham, Director, Iowa EDA

Click here to learn more about each session

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT!

Please join us in showing gratitude to our sponsors

who have generously provided support for the

2024 Tri-State Development Summit

Please consider becoming a sponsorship partner. Your investments supports not only the Summit but community-focused activities, resources, and tools all year long.

2024 Presenting sponsor:

and supported by:

IMPACT PARTNERS

$1,000

Blessing Health System

Great River Health

Hannibal Regional

Klingner & Associates

Northeast Power

Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu & Mitchell LLP

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

$500

Lewis County Industrial Dev. Agency

Moberly Area Community College

Porchlight Services

Quincy Medical Group

SUSTAINING PARTNERS

$250

Great River Economic Development Foundation

Michelmann Steel Construction Company

Pike County Economic Development Corporation

Pike-Scott Farm Bureau

CATCH UP ON THE NEWSLETTERS THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Tri-State Development at Culver-Stockton College supports the region by cultivating collaborative relationships, promoting interdisciplinary problem-solving, fostering the expansion of academic-organization-industry initiatives, and developing an environment for collective impact to address the current and emerging economic, and social challenges in the region.

Tri-State Development Culver-Stockton College | culver.edu/tsd

Leslie Sieck, Executive Director lsieck@culver.edu]

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