Beginning in 2005 with the development of the Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC), Missouri State University has shown a commitment to the redevelopment of an 88-acre footprint in Springfield’s center city that experienced decades of decay and dilapidation. Known as IDEA Commons, Missouri State University’s vision and mission to create an urban innovation park has been touted as a new type of research park that blends right-brain and left-brain creativity by bringing together and encouraging collaboration between Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship and the Arts. Since 2009, Missouri State embarked on its most recent redevelopment project focused on fostering entrepreneurial opportunity to complement and leverage technical innovation at JVIC, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, and the ideas and creativity of the University’s faculty, staff and students. As a result, in March of 2013, the Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise and Business Development was opened to serve as the principal Entrepreneurship component of IDEA Commons. Housing both The eFactory, a technology-focused business incubator and business development center, and the cooperative engineering program between Missouri State University and Missouri University of Science and Technology, this project has created a mixed-use development that provides opportunity for economic impact through new job creation as well as the advancement of educated persons who are equipped to contribute meaningfully in an evolving economy. The eFactory has brought together many of the region’s economic development entities to create a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs in order to facilitate their development from start-up to maturity, from idea to job creation. View the case study: http://universityeda.org/value-to-members/best-practice-sharing/awards-of-excellence/awards-of-excellence-2013-finalists/the-efactory-growing-the-local-economy-from-idea-to-job-creation/

1. The eFactory: Growing the Local Economy
from Idea to Job Creation
Allen Kunkel
Associate VP for Economic Development
Brian Kincaid
Business Incubator Coordinator

2. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is known for its
statewide Public Affairs mission – a focus on
Community Engagement, Cultural
Competence, and
Ethical Leadership.
Located in Springfield, Missouri
Second-largest university in Missouri
180+ undergraduate & 50 graduate programs
$
Sponsored research exceeds $20 million
Kansas City
St. Louis
Springfield

3. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Urban Innovation Park
I.D.E.A. Commons – Innovation, Design,
Entrepreneurship, & Art. An effort to
transform an 88 acre overlooked area of
Springfield into a vibrant urban
neighborhood.
Jordan Valley Innovation Center (JVIC)
Brick City (Art+Design, PharmD)
Robert W. Plaster Center for
Free Enterprise & Business Development

4. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Building on Success
Expansion of IDEA Commons was based
on the success of JVIC and a growing
need identified by the University and
supported by community partners.
Evolution of the Innovation Park Model
• More mixed-use development
• Focus on supporting entrepreneurs
with formal incubator space and
specialized services
• Develop a sense of place that’s
attractive to young talent
• University partnerships with
entrepreneurs and local business

5. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Fostering Entrepreneurship
Redevelopment of an abandoned space to
create the entrepreneurial component of IDEA
Commons, as the hub of entrepreneurship
and small business development in the
community. This mixed-use development
provides economic impact and enhanced
student experience.
The Robert W. Plaster Center for Free Enterprise
& Business Development
• The eFactory
• MSU/Missouri S&T Cooperative
Engineering Program
• MSU Printing & Postal Services

6. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
The eFactory
Created The eFactory to foster
entrepreneurial opportunity and leverage
technical innovation. Designed as a one-stopshop to assist
businesses from start-up to maturity;
from idea to job creation.
Unique Springfield brand approach
Long-term economic development & growth
Creating a culture of entrepreneurship

7. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Mission and Vision
Facilitate the successful growth and development of start-up and emerging
businesses, creating high-wage jobs for the local economy.
Support client companies in a way that will enable them to graduate from the incubator
in three to five years and establish themselves in the local community.

8. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Partnerships
Springfield Innovation, Inc.
Small Business & Technology
Development Center
Management Development Institute
Missouri Enterprise
SCORE
Missouri Procurement Technical
Assistance Center
Private business service providers and
regional governments
Other partners include Chamber of Commerce
Springfield Angel Network, Drury University, SBA

9. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Business Incubation Program
The Business Incubation Program lies at the
heart of The eFactory’s mission and vision. With
20,000 sq. ft. of leasable space and a virtual
incubator, the incubator gives start-ups room to
succeed and grow.
Target Industries
• Manufacturing
• Medical Device & Health Services
• Logistics & Supply Chain Management
• Technology (IT, software, energy solutions,
agri-tech)

10. MSU IDEA COMMONSTHE EFACTOR
Economic Impact
Redevelopment Project: $11,500,000
• $2,750,000 Economic Development
Administration
• Significant private gift from the
Robert W. Plaster Foundation
• $7,000,000+ Missouri State University
Over 450 businesses served
Over 650 jobs created
$30,000,000 investment in local economy
Repurpose of underutilized properties
Attraction and retention of human capital
Long-term stability of University