The Department of Economic Development (DED)was created in 1967 to plan, promote, and develop the economy of the state. Nebraska offers loans for businesses which create or maintain employment for persons of low and moderate income. It provides tax credits to companies which increase investment and add jobs. The main operational divisions within the DED are provide assistance for businesses start-up, financing and planning, for business expansion, community and housing development, international trade, filming Nebraska, travel and tourism, and workforce development. From 1999 to 2001, ambitions to increase the state's exports were furthered in five trade missions, four to Asia (including one to Australia), and one to Latin America. In September 2003, the DED issued a report it had commissioned from the Milken Institute the highlight of which showed that Nebraska, while rather low among the states in terms of R& D inputs, entrepreneurial infrastructure, human capital investment and other development-relevant categories, was 11th among the states in terms of technology and science workforce, suggesting a competitive advantage to be exploited.