ST. LOUIS— The vision of a high tech corridor along Interstate 44 from St. Louis to Joplin Missouri highlighted a Nov. 13, 2014 reception connecting members of TECH 44with the CORTEX Innovation Community in St. Louis. The reception at CORTEX introduced Tech 44’s consortium of 40 businesses, education and governmental entities. Each has a stake in developing an ecosystem of technology enterprises along a 290-mile-long stretch of I-44. According to a study by Charlottesville, Va.-based Axel Innovation, LLC, 64 percent of the technological and advanced manufacturing companies in Missouri are located on I-44. CORTEX is transforming an aging, 200-acre, midtown industrial district into a vibrant, 24/7, mixed-use neighborhood that will serve as the epicenter of innovation and entrepreneurship in the St. Louis region.

Founded in 2011 as a 501c3, TECH 44 creates business opportunities by leveraging the collective strengths of its members to grow the businesses as well as local, regional and state economies. It markets member companies and position’s I-44 as a region of advanced materials, manufacturing, design and associated education to broaden a level of recognition reaching beyond the borders of Missouri and the U.S.

“We call I-44 the ‘Ideas Highway’ and want to create an environment that nurtures the growth of ideas,” said TECH 44 Executive Director Lonna Sowers. “That includes promoting the sustainability of businesses and attracting compatible companies, building a skilled workforce, encouraging the expansion of education and training, encouraging research that supports business growth, establishing and growing peer networking and collaboration while advocating for policy and legislation to support growth of advanced technology and education.”

“Connecting the Corridor” was the theme of the evening where attendees from Joplin to St. Louis met representatives from Rolla-based Brewer Science, Inc.,Missouri University of Science & Technology, MO SCI Corporation and the Rolla Regional Economic Commission; Springfield-based Missouri State University; Joplin-based Joseph Newman Innovation Center; and St. Louis-based Ameren, Ventures — Boeing Defense, Washington University and the Electrical Connection; and other business and civic entities. More information on TECH 44 members can be found at www.tech44.org.

The event featured TECH 44 board member presentations by Doyle Edwards of Brewer Science and Allen Kunkelof Missouri State University’s Jordan Valley Innovation Center in Springfield. Featured speakers included Dennis Lower, CEO and president of CORTEX and Dan Woods, COO and vice president of business development forTechShop, which supports entrepreneurs by providing access to professional equipment and software. Jim Curran, Tech 44 board member and executive vice president, Electrical Connection, served as emcee.

Presenting sponsors included the Electrical Connectionand Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers, Local 36. Other sponsors includedArcturis, Missouri State University, Tacony Corp., St. Louis Regional Chamber, Joplin Regional Partnershipand the Joseph Newman Innovation Center, Joplin, Mo.