Ready availability of a skilled workforce is a top priority for life sciences companies and is critically important in attracting new companies to an area. A strong academic presence represented by six colleges and universities within a 20-25 minute commute of Fulton is critical to providing a trained workforce. The presence of Missouri’s only nuclear power plant – Ameren UE’s Callaway Nuclear Plant – just 10 miles south of Fulton makes Callaway County and Fulton home to a large number of nuclear, chemical and electrical engineers. As these engineers retire, they are often in a position to consult and share their technical expertise with businesses in the Fulton area.

Unquestionably, the University of Missouri-Columbia provides the educational base for the mid-Missouri region, but the presence of two outstanding private educational institutions in Fulton – Westminster College and William Woods University – also contribute to the workforce skill base with expertise in information systems (bioinformatics), business management, pre-law, accounting, and other sector requirements. The “labor triangle” that includes Fulton, Columbia and Jefferson City has access to a supply of workers with varying skill levels and for retraining needs. Included among the educational institutions in the three neighboring communities are the following:

Fulton

• Westminster College: Liberal arts college with a new $19 million state-of-the-art science center to enhance strong programs in biology, chemistry and physics that have produced the world’s liver transplant pioneer and a blue-ribbon roster of alumni in the medical field; increased focus on information management systems; strong business and MIS focus.
• William Woods University: Multidisciplinary university with continuing education focus; a nationally recognized equestrian program; raptor facilities; Callaway Hills Farm; MBA program.

Columbia

• University of Missouri-Columbia: Research I institution; colleges of medicine, agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, law, and full complement of life sciences disciplines; research reactor; technology transfer capability; state-wide extension service; PhD, MD, DVM, and other advanced degree programs.
• Columbia College: Liberal arts college with strong adult education program.
• Stephens College:

Jefferson City

• Lincoln University: Curriculum programs in agriculture, biology, biotechnology including gene sequencing, and bioinformatics; laboratory technician curriculum; internship opportunities with major corporations.

In addition to a strong academic component, other assets make the Fulton area a collaborative fit with companies in the life sciences. These assets include Fulton’s central geographical location as it is situated on the Missouri bio-corridor equidistant from St. Louis and Kansas City. This location is conducive to businesses that might wish to collaborate with other companies, research institutions (the Stowers Institute, Danforth Plant Science Center, etc.) and universities at either end of or along the corridor.