Missouri at a Glance
State Population: 5,704,484 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003 est.)
Top Five Cities by Population:
Kansas City - 443,471
St. Louis City - 338,353
Springfield - 151,010
Independence - 113,027
Columbia - 86,981
(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2003 est.)
Gross State Product: $194.6 billion (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2003 est.)
Missouri GSP by Industry: Pie Chart
Traditional Industries: Manufacturing, Agriculture, Service and Trade
Expanding Industries: Financial Services, Warehouse/Distribution, Professional Services and Wholesale Telecommunications
Targeted Industries: Plant and Life Sciences, Information Technology and Advanced Manufacturing
Major Export Industries: Chemicals; Agricultural Products; Machinery, Except Electrical; Transportation Equipment; Food and Kindred Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metal Manufacturing; Plastics and Rubber Products
Business Incentives:
Community College New Jobs Training Bonds
Customized Training Program
Enhanced Enterprise Zone Program
Rebuilding Communities Program
Tax-Exempt Industrial Development Bonds
Industrial Infrastructure Grants
Venture Capital Resources
Missouri Development Finance Board Programs
Local Property Tax Abatement
Natural Incentives:
Missouri has an excellent business climate:
- Productive and skilled workforce; ranked top state for the quality of education offered and the educational attainment of its workforce by Business Facilities (Feb. 2003))
- Relatively low tax burden (48th lowest business tax burden per worker, according to data compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau)
- Highly diversified economy (5th most diversified economy in nation - MERIC)
- High quality of life (consistently low cost-of-living index, lower housing costs, outstanding schools, multitude of arts and entertainment venues)
- Central location (Missouri is within 500 miles of 43% of U.S. population and households, 41% of the total U.S. effective buying income, 39% of total U.S. retail sales, 44% of total U.S. wholesale trade, 41% of total U.S. service industries, and 44% of total U.S. manufacturing establishments.)