By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Retired Missouri Chamber of Commerce President Dan Mehan says Missouri must leverage its advantages in advancing technologies to grow the state economy.
Mehan says there is a question that keeps him up at night.
“What are we going to do to make sure that Missouri gets the support it needs to figure out what to do about the critical mineral shortages that occur throughout the nation?” Mehan asks in an interview with KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “When we’re sitting on deposits of lead and other rare-earth minerals that can be used to help make batteries or silicon chips.”
Those elements are vital in the manufacturing of cell phones, electric cars, even cruise missiles. Mehan says Missouri is in a critical position to help the nation solve the problems of emerging technology, even that used for national defense.
Mehn says too few people realize the potential Missouri holds.
Also, the state is a leader in the manufacturing of active pharmacy ingredients.
“And these are some of those things that are unfortunately well-kept secrets,” Mehan says. “But these are natural strengths we have that we should exploit and make sure we take our position in the lead in figuring out those solutions.”
Mehan says many companies in Missouri are making major breakthroughs.
“I would love to see this state become a leader in AI and how to harness that technology and use it for good; use it for the betterment of advanced manufacturing, the creation of better jobs around the state that can be done whether it’s in Kansas City, St. Joe, or Sikeston, Missouri.”
Mehan says Missouri officials need to be aggressive in marketing Missouri’s strengths both nationally and internationally.
Mehan says Missouri businesses still face a shortage of qualified workers. He suggests the state needs to better inform high school students plenty of careers offer high-paying jobs without a college degree while continuing to support its colleges and universities.
You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.