Executives with Xceligent Inc. had a bevy of sites to choose from for their new commercial real estate information support center. But when they reviewed the range of assets in Central Missouri, it was clear that’s where they wanted to be. Xceligent and its partner LoopNet of San Francisco chose Sedalia, Missouri for the national rollout of its services to the top 100 markets in the United States.
“We were excited to be part of the governor’s initiative to bring business to the rural communities of Missouri,” says Doug Curry, Xceligent’s CEO. “I’m excited about the contribution that this office is bringing to not only our company but also to the local economy.” Xceligent is far from the only back office firm to choose the region for its headquarters or processing functions. Proformance Calling, a college admissions call center, selected neighboring Warrensburg to locate its 20 employees. And the region also is home to a division of plant-sciences giant Monsanto, and the headquarters to nuclear submarine battery-maker EnerSys Power Products, as well as bioenergy producers Pro Energy Service and Show Me Energy Co-op. “We have so many great things to offer information technology companies, headquarters, and call centers, including incentives and a tremendously skilled and motivated workforce,” says Tracy Brantner, president of Central Missouri Economic Development Alliance.
The alliance is composed of Lafayette, Saline, Johnson, Pettis and Henry counties — all working collegially to provide an excellent environment for start-up or expanding companies. One of the key attractions is its highly educated and motivated workforce, including the 7,500 military and civilian personnel associated with Whiteman Air Force Base, which is home to the nation’s fleet of B-2 Stealth aircraft. “Whiteman and nearby Kansas City are assets to our region because we have a lot of highly-skilled, well educated people who work in nearby Kansas City and live in our counties,” Brantner explains.
Educational institutions that support the region include: University of Central Missouri and its respected School of Technology, State Fair Community College, Wentworth Military Academy and College, and Missouri Valley Community College, and the University of Missouri’s Kansas City campus. Transportation is easy region-wide with Interstate 70 and U.S. highways 50 and 65, both of which are primarily four-lane. The region is home to multiple business parks, many of which are eligible for state and local tax credits from enhanced enterprise zones.
Residents appreciate the cultural diversity of the region such as the symphony, theater and other events at nearby University of Central Missouri. Within a quick drive, the full range of culture, entertainment, restaurants and sports are available throughout the Kansas City area. “We are also very close to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, and Henry County is the front door for the Truman Lakes area,” Brantner says. “We have fishing, hunting, boating and any kind of outdoor recreation you want. “People love living and working in Central Missouri and that shows in our excellent productivity and employee longevity,” Brantner says.
For more information, contact the Central Missouri Economic Development Alliance, Tracy Brantner at 800-431-0675 or info@choosecentralmo.com
