Joplin offers a supportive and innovative business community.

Leveraging our low cost of living with our growing transportation, infrastructure, and regional work ethic, businesses large and small choose Joplin for their regional, national, and international operations.

Dozens of trucking companies and distribution centers, a central location, and easy access to Interstates 44 and 49 have produced 336% more trucking jobs in Joplin than the national average. In 2019, AdvisorSmith named Joplin one of the best cities for truckers in the country.

Two major hospitals, dozens of specialty clinics, and a new state-of-the art medical campus have created a boom in Joplin's rapidly expanding healthcare industry, which employs over 15% of the population.

Manufacturing employs another 15% of the population. National and internationally renowned manufacturing companies have chosen to make their home in Joplin, including EaglePicher Technologies, Ajinimoto Foods, Coca-Cola, and Heartland Pet Food. In 2019, Smart Asset named Joplin the country's 14th best place for those working in the manufacturing industry, with a wage increase of 6%.

From national leaders in trucking, building products, and food production to emerging e-commerce and tech startups, Joplin offers a supportive and innovative business community.

Joplin is becoming the perfect place to fast-track a new startup or expand an established business.

The combined effort of key organizations, like the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Joplin, and the Downtown Joplin Alliance, is paving the way for an innovation district in our historic downtown. Entrepreneurs have a multitude of available resources to connect with each other and grow their ventures, including educational workshops and seminars, mentorships, networking opportunities, and support programs, like 1 Million Cups Joplin and E-Commerce Meet-Ups.

Meanwhile, coworking spaces, three small business incubators, and annual pitch competitions help foster a spirit of entrepreneurship in the community and cultivate local businesses.

With growing community support and the dedication of the passionate team behind the expansion and improvement of our small business community, your entrepreneurial future in Joplin is bright.

With resources like coworking spaces, business incubation programs, networking events, workshops and trainings, launching your new venture in Joplin is easier than ever.

The Joseph Newman Innovation Center (NIC) provides a positive coworking environment for new and developing businesses. With leasable offices, conference rooms, and break areas, the NIC provides a professional atmosphere for focusing on new businesses without overpriced, long-term lease agreements.  

The mixed-use business incubator at the Advanced Training & Technology Center (ATTC) helps fledgling startups in Joplin grow. Amenities like office spaces, a full commercial kitchen for culinary startups, a network of mentors, and a Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Membership ensures that new businesses have all the tools they need to succeed.
   
Through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by Missouri Southern State University, new and seasoned entrepreneurs have access to educational workshops geared towards starting and maintaining small businesses. Quarterly series over business basics as well as one-on-one business consulting provide a strong basis for success.

As the American workforce changes, industries in the Joplin area are striving to meet the needs of workers in our community.

Joplin's modern shared work spaces at the Joseph Newman Innovation Center (NIC) is the first coworking spaces to be offered in our region. With reduced rental fees, no risky lease agreements, and a collaborative environment, remote workers in any field can find their niche in a refreshing and innovative atmosphere.  

If you are a remote worker, take advantage of our low cost of living and maintain your current salary by being a part of our new coworking infrastructure.

The Joplin area is home to a number of resources and organizations that exist to help entrepreneurs relocate to Joplin and grow their businesses in our community.  

The MOKAN Partnership provides revenue sources to support economic development efforts in the area. The Partnership identifies and helps companies as they evaluate locations for relocation or expansion. MOKAN provides site selection assistance, tax and business incentive information, connections to important regional contacts, business data, and access to resources for workforce recruitment and training.  

The Joplin Capital Corporation (JCC) also serves the Joplin business community by furnishing small business loans and/or equity for projects that otherwise would not be financed through conventional means.  

A driven and skilled workforce, outstanding community partners, easy transportation access, and a low cost of living makes Joplin an excellent place to do business.

Joplin proudly embraces those who have served our nation. Quality of life, ample job opportunities, and exceptional healthcare make the area an excellent place for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. Several Guard and Reserve units are already located throughout the region while nearly 10,000 veterans call the Joplin Metro area home.
 
Choose to join us and find out what makes Joplin the perfect home for our veterans and military members.
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The Joplin region enjoys one of the lowest housing costs in the U.S. This area is also home to one of the lowest residential property tax rates in the Midwest. With reasonable prices and low taxes, your dream of home ownership is a reality.
 
Whether you prefer downtown loft-living, a kid-friendly subdivision, a small town lifestyle, or a place in the country, the Joplin area offers many varieties of housing options from which to choose! 

Our town has become an excellent home for serving and retired military members through the expansion of our veterans’ services, including the establishment of the new Joplin Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Clinic in 2019.
 
Several additional organizations within our community support our area veterans.
 
For more than 100 years, Joplin’s American Legion Post 13 has sought to honor fellow veterans through community service. They annually sponsor the Veteran's Day Parade and Veteran's Expo, and have an honor guard that attends the funerals of fallen service members from the area.
 
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 534 in Joplin is committed to advocating for and honoring retired military service members and those currently serving at home and abroad. Their events foster comradery between veterans and create opportunities to volunteer within the community. 
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The Student Veteran Organization of Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) is dedicated to helping veterans succeed in their educational pursuits while keeping them aware of available resources on campus and opportunities for leadership and service.
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With a variety of services to help veterans find jobs, the Missouri Job Center office in Joplin strives to help our country’s service members as they transition into the civilian workforce. Programs like Show-Me Heroes On-the-Job Training help connect veterans with employers as they return home. 
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Serving active service members and veterans across the Joplin region, Compass Quest Veterans Advocacy Group seeks to ensure the well-being of all military members. Their services include peer mentoring, transition and outreach programs, advocacy, and pairing disabled veterans with service dogs. 

Whether you are looking to continue your own education or need a good school for your children, the Joplin area has an array of private, public, and parochial schools as well as higher education institutions. 
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Joplin's schools, and those in nearby communities, are some of the most recognized and respected in the region. Area school systems have a heritage of dedication and commitment not only to local students but to future service members as well, with the longest running ROTC program in the nation celebrating 100 years at Joplin High School in 2019. 
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Post-graduate options include several technical schools, Crowder College, and MSSU, which has been annually recognized as a Military Friendly School since 2009. Higher education in the area has been enhanced with the new Kansas City University - Joplin School of Medicine and Biosciences, a campus belonging to one of the nation's top ten private medical schools.
 
And while all area schools work in tandem to help students attain the highest level of learning, Friday nights belong to the local sports enthusiasts as they put on their school colors and cheer on our local teams.

As the Joplin region’s economy grows, there are plenty of jobs available in nearly every sector.
 
Manufacturing, healthcare, government, transportation and logistics are among the largest employment sectors. All of these industries have positions ranging from entry-level to highly technical and include supervisory, information technology, and management jobs.
 
There is also a growing variety of technology and IT firms throughout the region. Our higher education institutions and area school systems are always seeking good employees. And retail, restaurant, hospitality, and social service jobs abound too.