For the second time in the last year, Gov. Jay Nixon is heading to Israel. 

Nixon is expected to travel to Israel on Nov. 15 to sign an agreement between the Missouri Technology Corporation, a state-run venture capital fund, and the Israel Innovation Authority, a group under the Ministry of the Economy of Israel that aim support tech start-ups. 

The purpose of the deal is to “advance opportunities for new technology projects to expand the technology economies and create jobs in both Missouri and Israel,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Nixon traveled to Israel in March with state officials and Jewish community leaders. During the trip, Nixon met with leaders of Israel-based cyber security and agri-tech companies. Four Israeli agri-tech companies have opened offices in St. Louis in the last two years.

“Based on the meetings, we will see more interacting in planet science, animal science and cyber-security between Israel and St Louis and Israel and Kansas City,” Nixon said during his earlier trip. 

The Hawthorn Foundation, an organization that supports economic development in Missouri, is paying for Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon to travel to Israel and Germany, according to the news release. The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported that taxpayer dollars will be used for members of his security detail.