Missouri's Advantages Make it Easy to Succeed

Missouri has many assets for companies looking to relocate, such as a business climate that encourages growth, competitive incentives, a large, highly skilled workforce,  exceptional transportation infrastructure, and some of the lowest business costs of any state. These are just a few of the many reasons why so many successful businesses have already chosen to locate here.

If you need further proof that your business belongs in Missouri, you can use our business climate comparison tool to see how Missouri stacks up against the rest of the country, view the state's recent accolades, or read testimonials from current Missouri businesses.

Missouri's advantages for business:

• Missouri has low energy costs. Missouri ranked 6th overall for business energy costs including electricity and fuel by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council in 2012.
• Missouri has an excellent regulatory and tax climate for business. In 2012, Missouri's regulatory environment was ranked 10th best in the nation by Forbes. Missouri has the 8th lowest corporate income tax rate and the 16th best tax climate overall in the U.S. (Tax Foundation).
• Missouri's workforce of over 3 million exceeds the entire populations of 20 other states, including neighboring Kansas, Arkansas and Nebraska.
• Missouri is one of only 4 states to receive the highest bond rating, AAA, for 46 years or more.
• Located near the geographic center of the country, Missouri has 8 surrounding states (tied for the most) and is a one or two day drive from most U.S. markets.
• 10 Missouri companies were included in 2013's Fortune 500: Express Scripts, Emerson Electric, Monsanto, Reinsurance Group of America, Centene, Peabody Energy, Ameren, O'Reilly Automotive, Graybar Electric, and Jones Financial.
• Missouri is also the headquarters for 10 of America's Largest Private Companies, according to Forbes: Enterprise, Graybar Electric, Edward Jones, Apex Oil, World Wide Technology, Bass Pro Shops, Hallmark Cards, Schnuck Markets, McCarthy Holdings, and JE Dunn Construction.
  
• Missouri's transportation advantages include 2 airports with international service, Kansas City International and Lambert St. Louis International, and the 6th largest public road and highway system in the country. 
• The 122 hospitals across the state include the top ranked Barnes Jewish Hospital.
• Missouri has the 3rd most diversified economy in the U.S. with a GDP over $249 billion (BEA) and exports totaling over $14.2 billion (WiserTRADE).
• Missouri has 126 enhanced enterprise zones located throughout the state.
• Missouri has 138 post-secondary degree-granting institutions, including Washington University, ranked 14th best in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.