redi

Strategic Plan Progress Evaluation

REDI - Regional Economic Development, Inc.

Economic Strategy

REDI is the economic development organization for Columbia and Boone County, Missouri. Founded in 1988, REDI serves as the Economic Development Department of the City of Columbia, and is funded by the City of Columbia, Boone County, the University of Missouri, and more than 100 local businesses and municipalities to coordinate the area’s economic development and entrepreneurship activities.

In fall 2020, REDI partnered with Fourth Economy to develop a three-year Strategic Plan for the organization and for economic growth in Columbia and Boone County, Missouri. Over that year, the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, a concerted push for equity across the country, and a fragile and uncertain national economic recovery converged to create an environment that demanded reconsidering the status quo and a commitment to creating a more resilient economy. The board and staff recognized the need for a thoughtful, transparent, and comprehensive process.

Our Approach

This planning process included an in-depth analysis of economic and demographic data; a review of prior planning efforts for Columbia and Boone County; interviews conducted with key community stakeholders; build sessions with practitioners and partners in brainstorming strategies for regional economic development; and working meetings with organizations whose partnership were critical to implementing the strategies described in the plan. This robust stakeholder engagement was purposeful, and an acknowledgment that true collaboration among organizations is critical for the region to achieve its goals. The project was also supported by a Steering Committee of business, education, and community leaders who helped ensure the plan reflected local priorities.

The Results

The resulting strategic plan has been a catalyst to chart a course toward an inclusive economy that boasts more opportunities for all and positions Boone County as an in-demand place for talent and business to thrive. The planning process also highlighted the need for greater optimization of staff resources and led to the addition of one new position at REDI. As their Strategic Plan entered its final year of implementation in 2024, we engaged with REDI again to formally assess its success and evaluate the thematic areas around which to focus the organization and its partners’ efforts for its next strategic plan.