Joplin stands strong with a business foundation that is comprised of a skilled labor force, easy transportation access, reasonable operating costs and local government that is pro-business.

These assets are what assure a strong economic development plan gets successful results. With a daytime population of more than 240,000, Joplin is a magnet for the surrounding area. About 62% of the available labor pool in the area has at least some college experience and almost 93% of potential employees have a high school diploma. Many have technical skill training beyond high school. Open to new possibilities, nearly 90% of workers say they are willing to work outside of their primary field of employment for the right opportunities. To match the skills and talents of the workforce and to determine a targeted approach to future growth, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce recently commissioned a study by Taimerica Management Company. The study results identified four business sectors to target as a way of expanding the area’s already diversified economic base. These sectors are: distributions centers, administrative office operations, commercial machinery repair and custom computer programming. These sectors join Joplin’s commitment to its existing firms in food processing, fabricated metals, transportation equipment, plastics and packaging technologies, customer service centers and retail. What makes Joplin so attractive for new businesses as well as our existing firms? According to Taimerica’s survey of 65 area companies, key factors include major transportation access; a skilled, available and willing workforce; low operating costs and taxes and a quality of living that comes from being a hub city in a market of nearly 500,000.