Tuesday US Rep Russ Carnahan released a regional economic plan titled “A Regional Approach to Job Growth.” The 33-page plan includes an overview of the national and regional economy, evaluating local assets and liabilities, an industry-by-industry analysis of key areas of commerce in the St. Louis region, and a growth plan for various industries listing efforts underway and explores ways to support further expansion.  According to the congressman’s office, the plan is the product in part of nearly 50 meetings with business, labor and community leaders, and from responses to a survey that was sent to more than 200 businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the region.

“Our nation and region needs to take a comprehensive and focused approach to creating jobs,” Carnahan said.  “This is a realistic and workable plan that examines our region’s strengths and weaknesses and offers serious, concrete action items to help the St. Louis region emerge from this recession stronger and better equipped to lead in a new economy.”

The plan looks briefly at economic indicators such as job losses and growth during the last two years and details efforts and action items in the areas of small business, transportation and infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, science, clean energy, military and defense technology, agriculture, education, housing and real estate and job training. 

“As a nation, we have faced many challenges throughout our history – wars, depression, civil unrest,” Carnahan said.  “But Americans are at their best when our mettle is tested.  It is at these moments that we pull together, innovate, adapt and grow, to achieve some of our greatest accomplishments.  Now, as we work to recover from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, in the face of another moment of adversity, I believe we have an opportunity to come together as a region and play a leading role in building the economy of tomorrow.”

A copy of the full text of “A Regional Approach to Job Growth” is available here.