The Southwest Missouri Development Alliance is a Regional Economic Development organization that consists of the Southwest Missouri cities of Anderson, Carl Junction, Lamar, Joplin, Neosho, Mt. Vernon, Pineville/Jane and Webb City. Alliance members also include The Empire District Electric Company, The Harry S Truman Coordinating Council, and The Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri.
Our mission is to provide the necessary resources in order to attract manufacturing, warehouse/distribution, call centers, office space, or retail to Southwest Missouri. On our web site you will find information on demographics, cost of doing business, transportation, workforce, education, training, and available sites & buildings.
As you can see, Southwest Missouri, with its central location in U.S. and North American markets, excellent transportation access, large labor market and strong workforce, low operating costs, and technology, has everything businesses needs to be successful and continue their growth.
* Cingular/AT&T announce 600 seat Call Center in Joplin.
* Joplin State Representative to chair House Economic Development committee
* Interstate 44 named one of nation’s most improved highways.
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Southwest Missouri is in the geographic heart of North America, providing a truly central distribution point with convenient transportation access to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. |
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Interstate 44 and four-lane U.S. 71 (designated I-49 corridor) is part of an Interstate and Federal highway corridor running from coast to coast and from Winnipeg, Canada to New Orleans or, on the Southwest leg, to Monterrey, Mexico. |
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Southwest Missouri boasts a highly qualified and able workforce. The Joplin metro area has a total labor force of 82,000 people. The three-state labor market region has a labor force of more than 175,000 people. |
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Wage rates are typically twelve (12) to fifteen (15) percent lower that the national average. While Southwest Missouri has a few unions, these are generally with companies that have been in the community since the 1930's and 1940's. |
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Southwest Missouri is telecommunications ready, with more than half a dozen major fiber optic backbones, providing access to high-speed (up to OC-192) digital lines, redundant capabilities, and Sonet availability. |
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According to the ACCRA 2003 4th Quarter Cost of Living Index, Southwest Missouri (Joplin MSA) has the 5th lowest cost of living of any region in the entire United States. |
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Over 50 trucking companies are located in Southwest Missouri. The region is also amply served by two Class I rail carriers. |
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Commercial air service is provided to the Joplin Regional Airport by American Airlines. |