The department administers programs relating to the promotion of the economy of the state, trade and business. The director, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, oversees economic development, regulation of business, financial institutions, and professional registration.

Economic Development Group Programs promote job creation and capital investment such as national, international, small business, research, financing and community development activities. The Economic Development Group Programs are: Business Development Group, Business Expansion and Attraction Group, Community Development Group, and Workforce Development Group.

Women's Council addresses issues regarding the economic and employment status of women in Missouri.

Division of Tourism is responsible for promoting the growth of Missouri's travel industry. The division works to attract vacationers from out of state and encourage Missourians to travel in their home state.

Missouri State Council on the Arts stimulates and encourages the growth of all arts throughout the state.

Division of Credit Unions is responsible for the annual examination, supervision, and chartering of mergers and liquidations for approximately 300 state-chartered credit unions.

Division of Finance is responsible for the incorporation, regulation, liquidation and examination of state-chartered banks, trust companies, and state-chartered savings and loan associations.

Public Service Commission executes all laws relating to private industries operating in Missouri as public utilities.

Office of the Public Counsel represents the interest of the public in proceedings before the Public Service Commission.

Missouri Housing Development Commission insures loans to nonprofit and limited dividend sponsors of residential housing for low- and moderate-income families.

Division of Professional Registration provides support services to boards and commissions such as the Missouri Board for Architects, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, etc. Each licensing board is responsible for regulating its profession.

All of the departments in Missouri state government contain at least one administrative division or unit which provides support in fiscal management, accounting, personnel and training, research and data processing. Because of similarity of these duties and because each department only has one page of print space, these units are not described in detail.

For more information on these divisions, contact the department director.