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. In 2010, Missouri had the 8th lowest average commercial energy costs and the 10th lowest industrial energy costs in the U.S. (EIA).
• Missouri has an excellent regulatory and tax climate for business. In 2011, Missouri's regulatory environment was ranked 9th best in the nation by Forbes. Missouri has the 8th lowest corporate income tax rate and the 15th best tax climate overall in the U.S. (Tax Foundation).
• Missouri's workforce of over 3 million exceeds the entire populations of 19 other states, including neighboring Kansas, Arkansas and Nebraska.
• Missouri is one of only 8 states to receive the highest bond rating by all three rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poors and Moody’s Investor Service, in 2011.
• 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.
• 11 Missouri companies were included in 2011's Fortune 500: Express Scripts, Emerson Electric, Monsanto, Reinsurance Group of America, Ameren, Charter Communications, Peabody Energy, Smurfit-Stone Container, O'Reilly Automotive, Graybar Electric, and Centene.
• Missouri is also the headquarters for 10 of America's Largest Private Companies, according to Forbes: Enterprise, Graybar Electric, Apex Oil, Edward Jones, Bass Pro Shops, Hallmark Cards, World Wide Technology, Schnuck Markets, McCarthy Holdings, and AMC Entertainment.
  
• Missouri's transportation advantages include:
  • 7 regional and 2 international airports, Kansas City International and Lambert St. Louis International.
  • 1,181 interstate miles
  • 32,800 highway miles
  • 1,050 navigable waterway miles
  • 13 ports authorities and 1 regional port commission
  • 3 foreign trade zones
• The 119 hospitals across the state include the top ranked Barnes Jewish Hospital.
• Missouri has the 4th most diversified economy in the U.S. with a GDP over $244 billion (BEA) and exports totalling over $12.9 billion (WiserTRADE).
• Missouri has 106 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.