Local Economic Development Contacts
Contact Us
Phone: +1.314.725.0949
Toll Free: +1.877.725.0949
Fax: +1.314.725.0743
120 South Central Avenue, Suite 1535
Saint Louis, MO 63105
12200 NW Ambassador Drive, Suite 234
Kansas City, MO 64163 |
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Missouri's South Central Region
The 12 county South Central region is known for its beautiful scenery- bubbling springs, clear swift rivers, and forested hills. It is the home of both the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Mark Twain National Forest. Top industries include Agribusiness, Manufacturing, Transportation/Logistics, and Warehousing/Distribution.
Recent Investment Projects
March 2012- Invensys Controls, a manufacturer of valves, thermostats, switches and burners for gas cooking appliances, announced plans to close one operation in Mexico and expand its plant in West Plains, bringing up to 200 new jobs to southern Missouri.
Workforce
| Area |
Population 2011 |
Population Projection 2030 |
Civilian Labor Force (July 2012) |
Employment (July 2012) |
Unemployment (July 2012) |
Unemployment Rate (July 2012) |
| Butler County |
43,082 |
41,491 |
20,324 |
18,586 |
1,738 |
9% |
| Carter County |
6,365 |
5,837 |
2,952 |
2,696 |
256 |
8.70% |
| Douglas County |
13,548 |
13,934 |
6,351 |
5,843 |
508 |
8.00% |
| Howell County |
40,665 |
43,414 |
19,139 |
17,643 |
1,496 |
8% |
| Oregon County |
11,017 |
10,558 |
4,279 |
3,928 |
351 |
8.20% |
| Ozark County |
9,595 |
8,457 |
4,358 |
3,973 |
385 |
8.80% |
| Reynolds County |
6,588 |
6,285 |
2,306 |
2,037 |
269 |
11.70% |
| Ripley County |
14,143 |
14,008 |
6,345 |
5,703 |
642 |
10.10% |
| Shannon County |
8,432 |
9,693 |
3,080 |
2,738 |
342 |
11.10% |
| Texas County |
25,936 |
22,169 |
10,933 |
10,075 |
858 |
7.80% |
| Wayne County |
13,475 |
11,200 |
5,551 |
5,019 |
532 |
9.60% |
| Wright County |
18,716 |
19,963 |
7,965 |
7,285 |
680 |
8.50% |
| South Central Region Summary |
211,562 |
207,009 |
93,583 |
85,526 |
8,057 |
8.60% |
Sources: MERIC and Missouri Office of Administration
Median Wages:
The regional average wage was $498 per week in the 1st Quarter of 2012.
Transportation Access
Major roads in the area include US-60, US-63, US-67, US-160. US-60 links Virginia to Arizona, with major junctions at Richmond, Lexington, Louisville, and Phoenix. US-63 originates in Wisconsin, passing through Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, and Louisiana in addition to Missouri.
US-67 begins in Iowa and ends at the U.S.-Mexico border at Presidio, while US-160 begins in Missouri and terminates in Arizona.
Regional commercial airports are located near the region in Branson, Springfield, Waynesville, and Cape Girardeau.
Regional rail access is provided by Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific.
Major Cities
Poplar Bluff (Pop: 17,135
West Plains (12,063)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011
Education
Higher Education Institutions:
Missouri State University- West Plains: 2-year, public
Three Rivers Community College: (Poplar Bluff) 2-year, public
Educational Attainment:
| Area |
High School Diploma |
Associate's Degree |
Bachelor's Degree |
Graduate Degree |
Total Degrees |
| Butler County |
10,470 |
1,853 |
2,404 |
1,663 |
16,390 |
| Carter County |
1,580 |
255 |
248 |
209 |
2,292 |
| Douglas County |
4,146 |
429 |
630 |
313 |
5,518 |
| Howell County |
11,096 |
1,242 |
2,113 |
1,634 |
16,085 |
| Oregon County |
3,203 |
335 |
531 |
237 |
4,306 |
| Ozark County |
3,133 |
285 |
460 |
338 |
4,216 |
| Reynolds County |
2,004 |
307 |
164 |
152 |
2,627 |
| Ripley County |
3,724 |
524 |
781 |
391 |
5,420 |
| Shannon County |
2,393 |
120 |
499 |
286 |
3,298 |
| Texas County |
7,819 |
793 |
1,457 |
622 |
10,691 |
| Wayne County |
3,867 |
603 |
581 |
251 |
5,302 |
| Wright County |
5,134 |
598 |
881 |
523 |
7,136 |
| South Central Region Summary |
58,569 |
7,344 |
10,749 |
6,619 |
83,281 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5 year estimates, 2010
Quality of Life
The residents of the South Central region not only enjoy a low cost of living, access to quality healthcare, and numerous recreational activities, but additionally some of the most beautiful scenery the state has to offer.
Excellent area hospitals include the Ozarks Medical Center (West Plains) and Popular Bluff Regional Medical Center.
The region’s Lake Wappapello State Park offers hunting, fishing, water skiing, boating, swimming, hiking, and camping.
Mark Twain National Forest provides a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities, including camping, floating, hiking, horseback riding, and birdwatching.
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways were created by an act of Congress to protect the 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Both rivers offer excellent opportunities for canoeing, swimming and fishing. Seven major springs, including the largest in the U.S., Big Spring, feed the riverways year-round. Over 300 caves have been recorded in the area, which is also home to the historic Alley Mill.
In Poplar Bluff you’ll find the Margaret Hartwell Art Museum which offers a comprehensive program of traveling exhibits, art classes, educational programs for children and a growing permanent collection of works by contemporary Missouri artists.
West Plains holds the annual Old Time Music Ozark Heritage Festival. Musicians, artisans and storytellers gather from throughout the state to honor old time music and the culture of the Ozarks.
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