Recognizing that new approaches to rural economic development are essential to ensure a strong economic future, the university partners with rural communities to identify and implement new strategies for community economic development. For the past seven years, the interdisciplinary ExCEED Program has fostered regional collaboration to reinvigorate local economies through developing leaders, creating an entrepreneurial culture and retaining local wealth.
 
Case Study:
 
The Ozark Heritage Region brought nearly 1,500 students from 20 area high schools and three colleges to the nationally recognized Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour for an introduction to the opportunities that are available through entrepreneurship. More than 90 percent of the participants indicated that they would start a business at some point in their career.

View Source