As we look back on 2024, the Missouri SBDC stands as a cornerstone of support for entrepreneurs and small businesses across our state. The network continues to empower businesses with cutting-edge resources and expertise, ensuring our entrepreneurs are equipped to compete in an ever-evolving marketplace. Whether creating new jobs, assisting with expansion, or building vibrant local economies, the Missouri SBDC remains a trusted partner for small businesses on their journey to success.

Missouri ranks better than a third of U.S. states in food access, measured by the number and proximity of area grocery stores, but lags behind the majority (65%).

Defense contracts comprised the majority of Missouri DoD spending (87%), totaling $11.6 billion and placing Missouri 11th in the nation for defense contract spending.

Social capital — the relationships between individuals — can create access to other forms of capital and support local economic development.

Missouri’s economy reached $430 billion in 2023, with real growth of 2.6% compared to the previous year.

Commuting miles have changed little over the past decade but vary significantly based on workers’ locations and their home county’s economic structure.

Missouri children born to the lowest 25% of earners in 1992 earned, on average, 7% less than counterparts born in 1978.

In May 2024, 6.1% of surveyed Missouri employers used AI. While a small percentage, that level is nearly double the share reported a year earlier (3.1%).

Missouri saw a decrease of 37,648 residents under age 15 from 2013 to 2023, a 3.2% drop.

In 2023, Missouri saw over 90,000 business applications, a 53% increase from 2019, sparking curiosity about the surge in new business starts.

Missouri’s 2020-23 annual population growth rate of 0.2%, typical for the Midwest, notably outpaced neighboring Illinois (-0.6%) and Kansas (0.0%) but was significantly slower than Tennessee (1.0%) and Oklahoma (0.7%).

Missouri construction sector employment rose by 12% over the past 5 years, far outpacing the state’s overall rate (2.3%).

Agritourism is rising in Missouri, as the number of farms and revenue increased roughly 22% between 2017 and 2022.

More than a quarter (26.9%) of Missouri’s houses were constructed before 1940, and more than half of Missouri’s housing stock was built between 1960 and 1999.

In 2023, the 55+ working population accounted for 23% of the state’s workforce, up from 20% in 2013.

From 2012 to 2021, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) outflows exceeded inflows by 3.9%, indicating an overall outflow of income from Missouri.

2023 brought numerous changes to the Missouri SBDC, most notably leadership changes across the state.Through all the changes within the network, the Missouri SBDC continued to deliver amazing service and technical assistance to their regions.

Nationally, 26% of respondents cited helping their community as very important. This sentiment was echoed by 22% of Missouri business owners.

In 2024, Missouri had 17 fewer registered childcare facilities than in the previous year yet served an additional 378 children.

In 2022, Missouri stood 21st in the nation with a $397 billion economy. Following a 4.6% increase in 2021, Missouri’s real GDP increased 2.0% between 2021 and 2022.

In 2021, adult women accounted for 51% of Missouri’s population but only 26% of the state’s legislative body.

In Missouri and across the nation, business applications have soared recently due to the pandemic-led economic disruptions of 2020.

Missourians commute fewer miles than the average American, but the industry and location of work influence those distances.

With nearly 18,000 registered EVs, Missouri ranks 25th with just under half of one percent of the nation’s total EVs.

Most industry wage growth falls short of inflation.