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Why Cass County?

Missouri, as a State, is the middle point of the country and is the 8th most international state in the U.S.. Cass County is right in the middle of the state sharing our western border with Johnson County, Kansas, our northern border with Kansas City and our eastern border with Lee's Summit. Companies wishing to locate in mid-Missouri get the best of all of these markets: Kansas City, Overland Park/Leawood, Lee's Summit and rural/agribusiness within Cass County's business friendly regulatory climate with lower costs of doing business.

Cass County will soon see the conversion of U.S. 71 Highway to Interstate 49. Historically, our communities attract large distribution centers like Wal-Mart DC and Quick Trip DC. The local workforce is highly skilled and Cass County partners with Metropolitan Community College for advanced technical training to meet the demand for new jobs.

For consumer-oriented businesses, Cass County is one of the fastest growing counties in a state that is maintaining stable growth whereas many other areas of the country are declining.

To find out if Cass County is a good fit for you, feel free to call our Executive Director: Melissa Freeman 816-914-9456 or email mfreeman@showmecasscounty.com

 Missouri's advantages for business:

Missouri has low energy costs. In 2010, Missouri had the 8th lowest average commercial energy costs and the 10th lowest industrial energy costs in the U.S. (EIA).

Missouri has an excellent regulatory and tax climate for business. In 2010, Missouri's regulatory environment was ranked 7th best in the nation by Forbes. Missouri has the 5th lowest corporate income tax rate and the 16th best tax climate overall in the U.S. (Tax Foundation).

Missouri's workforce of over 3 million exceeds the entire populations of 20 other states, including neighboring Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and Nebraska.

Missouri is one of only 8 states to receive the highest bond rating by all three rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poors and Moody’s Investor Service, in 2011.

Located near the geographic center of the country, Missouri has 8 surrounding states (tied for the most) and is a one or two day drive from most U.S. markets.

12 Missouri companies were included in 2010's Fortune 500: Express Scripts, Emerson Electric, Monsanto, Ameren, Reinsurance Group of America, Charter Communications, Peabody Energy, O'Reilly Automotive, Smurfit-Stone Container, Graybar Electric, Centene, and H&R Block.

Missouri is also the headquarters for 12 of America's Largest Private Companies, according to Forbes: Enterprise, DeBruce Grain, Graybar Electric, Hallmark Cards, Bass Pro Shops, Apex Oil, Edward Jones, McCarthy Holdings, Schnuck Markets, AMC Entertainment, JE Dunn Construction Group, and World Wide Technology. 

Missouri's transportation advantages include:

7 regional and 2 international airports, Kansas City International and Lambert St. Louis International.

1,181 interstate miles

32,800 highway miles

1,050 navigable waterway miles

13 ports authorities and 1 regional port commission

3 foreign trade zones

The 119 hospitals across the state include the top ranked Barnes Jewish Hospital.

Missouri has the 4th most diversified economy in the U.S. with a GDP over $239 billion (BEA) and exports totalling over $9.5 billion (WiserTRADE).

Missouri has 97 enhanced enterprise zones located throughout the state.

Missouri has 132 post-secondary degree-granting institutions, including Washington University, ranked 13th best in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.