Forbes: St. Joseph No. 4 in U.S. for Agribusiness

Not many cities in the U.S. can beat St. Joseph when it comes to economic strength as center for agribusiness might—in fact, only three meet that test, according to Forbes magazine, which ranks St. Joseph No. 4 among American cities for those sectors.

The area’s emergence in food processing, particularly for companies processing meat, and within the vital animal-health sector have made St. Joseph a key business center, the magazine said.

In a news release hailing the ranking Patt Lilly, president and CEO of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, cited the city’s pride in its agribusiness and animal pharmaceutical base. “Our nation’s economy is strongly based in agriculture, so for Forbes to list St. Joseph as its fourth-strongest agribusiness region is a much-deserved pat on the back to our companies and employees in these fields,” Lilly said.

Among the larger food processors based or operating in the city is Triumph Foods, one of  the region’s largest employers, and the animal-health side is well-represented by companies like Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Nestle Purina Petcare and others.

“These companies are a major component that makes St. Joseph the third-largest exporter in the state of Missouri,” Lilly said. “Our companies keep growing and increasing employee wages, which helps all parts of our local economy.”