EDA University Center Program in Missouri

The University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (UCIE) is funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) as a catalyst to bring a wide variety of entrepreneurial and economic development resources together in one easy-to-access location.

The Economic Development Administration's (EDA's) University Center Program provides annual funding to higher-education institutions throughout the U.S. to support local and regional economic development.

In Missouri, our purpose is to improve the economies and economic development capacity throughout the state, with emphasis on economically distressed communities. It leverages staff, students, facilities, research capabilities and other resources of partnering institutions.

Partners

The Missouri program is well-leveraged, utilizing the resources of key partners to enhance federal funding. Those partners include University of Missouri Extension, the MU College of Engineering and the Missouri Innovation Center.

History

The EDA Program has a long history with Missouri.

• Began more than three decades ago at the University of Missouri
• Four-campus effort
• Highly leveraged program
• Economic development became fourth mission of the University
• EDA University Center Competitive
• Economic Development Council