In 1997, the Workforce Development Task Force was established to work with the private sector throughout the tri-states to offer the training needed to strengthen the economy of the entire region.
The task force has sponsored several tri-state job fairs, and a successful on-line degree program – TriStateOnline – has also resulted from the cooperative effort. In 2007, TriStateOnline colleges generated more than $1 million in tuition revenue.
John Wood Community College and Moberly Area Community College continue their cooperative relationship that allows them to provide on-line courses to residents of Western Illinois and Northeast Missouri.
Portions of the Summit territory are planning to conduct a labor market study to evaluate the needs of regional employers and are identifying new ways to work together and respond to those needs.