Missouri Southern State and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce will announce a new partnership.

Southern President Dean Van Galen and Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Toby Tetter will announce details today regarding the former site of the Joplin Public Library located downtown. The initiative dubbed, Launchpad, is also a collaboration with the City of Joplin and Joplin Schools and the Webb City and Carl Junction school districts. The Launchpad location will also house offices for the City of Joplin economic development team, MOKAN Partnership, Downtown Joplin Alliance, the Joplin Regional Community Foundation, and the Small Business Development Center at MSSU. The facility will also include a coffee bar and outdoor seating. The expected cost is about 10 million dollars and is partially funded by a US Department of Labor grant.