Why Missouri?: Top Reasons to Choose Missouri

Their reasons are as varied as the diverse economy of the state, but in the end, choosing Missouri as a home base has one factor in common among business executives: It makes for a stronger enterprise.  Here are some thoughts from executives around the state about what makes Missouri the ideal place to call home.

Gordon Lansford | President/CEO, JE Dunn Construction Co. 

From a construction perspective, Missouri is a great place for us to be headquartered, and we are continuing to see growth and opportunity. Missouri has a great work force, offers affordable standard of living and housing, and has excellent in-state options for higher education. Also being located in the central part of the United States with a brand-new airport terminal on the horizon is extremely convenient for professional travel and mobility. For a company like JE Dunn, with projects located all around the country, we are able to deploy our experienced work force to where the projects are with ease and affordability.

Jeffrey Jones II | President/CEO, H&R Block

Every time my guests leave Kansas City after visiting, they say, “I had no idea!”  There is so much happening here from urban revitalization and start-ups to great arts and food (beyond BBQ)! There is also a local pride here that rivals anything I’ve seen in the major cities around the world. … We love telling the Kansas City story to prospective associates and enabling our team to help make our community better through the many organizations we support financially and through volunteerism. It also helps that our world headquarters is located in the heart of the Power & Light District. We have a great foundation in place. It’s important, as leaders and as a community, to not rest on our laurels. We must continually move forward and improve, recognizing other great places are not standing still.

Jon Hinds | Senior Vice President, CBRE

There is a tremendous amount of opportunity for growth within (Missouri’s) industrial sector. We continue to see net positive growth through organic expansions and businesses choosing St. Louis and Missouri as a place they want to locate. The macro conditions of our economy largely determine the growth rate of the industrial real-estate market, but from what we are seeing, I remain extremely bullish on the sector going forward in the foreseeable future.

John Sebree | CEO, Missouri Realtors

Missouri’s location in the exact center of the United States makes us the perfect location for today’s business and industry. Couple our desirable location with the outstanding quality of life and cost of living, and it is no surprise that global corporations and startups are calling the Show-Me State their home.

Dan Duffy | Group CEO, United Real Estate Holdings

I moved to Missouri from Dallas after acquiring United Country Real Estate in 2007. The intent was to move the company to North Texas, but after getting to know how great it was to raise a family here in Kansas City, we moved to be part of the community.

Debbie Wilkerson | President/CEO, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation 

Philanthropy is not an aristocratic or elitist activity in our region. It’s heartfelt. Missouri is home to generous people who want to help others. In other parts of the country, it might be more of an exclusive club. Here, it’s interesting, because the major institutions and structures that were built by philanthropists included donations of all levels from all types of charitable givers. We applaud the major gifts, but we also encourage and celebrate everyone who uses their resources to improve their communities.