The Columbia / Jefferson City Region

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The Columbia/Jefferson City Region sits in central Missouri. Anchored by the University of Missouri in Columbia and the State Capital in Jefferson City, this is a region of growth, innovation and cooperation.

A uniquely skilled and educated population combined with a strong Midwestern work ethic is the formula for a highly productive workforce. Key employment sectors – health innovation, information technology, financial and professional services, advanced manufacturing, agtech, and more – are broadly represented throughout the region.

The University of Missouri’s flagship campus (MU) in Columbia and its science and technology campus (Missouri S&T) in Rolla provide a steady stream of talent for businesses in all sectors, including agtech, energy, and IT.

Major Cities
  • Columbia (Pop: 128,555)
  • Jefferson City (42,528)
  • Rolla (20,322)
  • Fort Leonard Wood (15,959)
  • Lebanon (15,232)
  • Fulton (12,710)
  • Mexico (11,496)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022

CentralRegion_LargeMap_RegionalMaps

Key Employers
  • 3M (Columbia)
  • Cargill (California)
  • Central Bancompany (Jefferson City)
  • Dollar General Distribution Center (Fulton)
  • Durham Company (Lebanon)
  • Emerson Climate Technologies (Lebanon)
  • Emery Sapp & Sons (Columbia)
  • EquipmentShare (Columbia)
  • Hitachi ABB (Jefferson City)
  • Hubbell Power Systems (Centralia)
  • Independent Stave (Lebanon)
  • The Kraft Heinz Company (Columbia)
  • Paramount Apparel International/Imperial (Bourbon)
  • Quaker Window Products (Freeburg)
  • Scholastic, Inc. (Jefferson City)
  • Shelter Insurance (Columbia)
  • State of Missouri (Jefferson City)
  • True Manufacturing (Mexico)
  • Veterans United Home Loans (Columbia)
  • Unilever (Jefferson City)
  • Walmart Distribution Center (St. James)
  • White River Marine Group (Lebanon)
Workforce
CertifiedWorkReady
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WorkforceData[2]
Download Missouri’s Workforce Data in Excel or PDF
Sites and Buildings
Buildings[2]
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CertifiedSites
Click to find Missouri Certified Sites

Posts

EquipmentShare Expands in Missouri, Creates Over 150 new jobs in Moberly

Founded in Columbia, Missouri in 2015, EquipmentShare aims to improve the construction industry ... Read More

Tech Hubs and Top Talent: Missouri Cities Recognized for Tech Innovation and Workforce

Kansas City and St. Louis have been gaining ground in the tech industry for years. Now the worl ... Read More

Columbia’s New Principe Foods Facility Earns Industry Praise

In its July/August issue, Construction Executive dives deep into the collaboration between Prin ... Read More

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