Growth That Adds Up
Our 10-county area combines steady population growth, diverse communities, and strategic location advantages that create exceptional conditions for business investment in southwest Missouri.
Regional Overview
The OREP region spans Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties, encompassing 650,000+ people across a strategically positioned market. This true regional collaboration provides businesses access to diverse communities, from growing suburban areas to established commercial centers, each contributing unique strengths to the overall economic ecosystem.
Multi-County Growth
Population growth extends across the region, creating opportunities throughout the region rather than concentrated in a single area.
Regional Diversity
The 10-county area includes tourism destinations like Branson, manufacturing centers, agricultural communities, and suburban growth areas. This diversity provides businesses with access to varied workforce skills, customer bases, and partnership opportunities across multiple counties.
Key Metrics Snapshot
Population
650,000+ total regional population across the 10-county OREP area, providing substantial market reach and workforce diversity.
Regional Growth
The region is experiencing steady expansion, averaging 0.65% growth annually.
Community Diversity
Cities and counties range from tourism centers to manufacturing hubs to growing suburban areas, and more.
Median Age
The median age is 39 years old across the region, supporting both current business needs and long-term sustainability.
Workforce Distribution
330,000+ regional labor force is spread across diverse communities, offering businesses multiple location options and skill sets.
Economic Base
Multi-sector foundation including health care, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, and professional services for economic resilience across counties.
Cost Advantages
Below-average living costs support both business operations and employee attraction across all counties.
Transportation Access
Convenient access to I-44, I-49, rail lines, and airports gives the region a strategic logistics advantage.
Put These Numbers to Work
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