Missouri's economy is much more diverse than just corn, cotton and cockleburs: It spans industry, telecommunications, health care and agri-business, said the state economic development director.

"It's a great place to live, work and do business," said Joe Driskill, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Driskill was a featured speaker at the Greater Missouri Leadership conference in Cape Girardeau Wednesday.

The three-day conference concludes Friday. It is designed to give women the opportunity to learn more about issues affecting the state.

About 50 women are chosen from corporations, non-profit organizations, education and small businesses to attend the four meetings. Throughout the year, each conference meets in a different part of the state.

There is still work to be done before all parts of Missouri see more economic growth in the future, Driskill said. "We have to continue to work and have effective partnerships."

To help build economic growth, Missouri shouldn't just focus on bringing large, new industry to the state. It should concentrate on attracting related businesses to the state.

Instead of looking for another automobile manufacturing plant for Missouri, we should work to bring parts suppliers to the area, Driskill said.

"We need to work harder and be smarter," he said. Since the economy is much more globalized, Missouri have to make smarter use of its resources.

Southeast Missouri has had a difficult time attracting new business, but Driskill is not sure of the reason, he said. "There have been difficult spots with plant closings," he said.

Many of the jobs are being lost to factories overseas where wages are lower. In order to keep jobs in the state, employers need to increase their technology and the skills of the workers, Driskill said.