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Site Selection: Joplin, A Portrait in Resilience

  • June 20, 2019

When an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin and killed 161 people on May 22, 2011, some wondered whether the city of 52,195 people in Southwest Missouri would ever fully recover. Eight years later, that question has been answered with a resounding “Yes.” After $800 million in reconstruction efforts that included 7,500 new homes and a $40-million performing and cultural arts center, Joplin is more than back. It is better than ever, according to a recent article from the Site Selection team.

Our best-kept secret is just us in general,” said Rob O’Brian, former president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and Joplin Regional Partnership, which serves an area of 350,000 people. “Nobody is out there beating the drum for Joplin. People are surprised when they come to this region and find out how dynamic and diversified it is. We have a very good business focus in manufacturing, technology, logistics and healthcare.”

That focus recently manifested itself in some sizable expansion projects. Frozen-foods producer Ajinomoto Windsor invested $54 million into a 150,000-sq.-ft. facility that will employ 240 workers. Heartland Pet Foods, which makes Blue Buffalo products, is adding 112,000 sq. ft. and 50 jobs; and Missouri’s first new medical school in 50 years just opened.

Check out the full article from the Site Selection team here.

For more information on why Missouri could be a prime location to launch or grow your business, contact Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership, at 314.932.3973 or via our contact form, with any questions you might have. We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have, and show you how Missouri Partnership can help with your business expansion, collaboration and investment needs.

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