Missouri is the best state in the country for manufacturing and logistics, according to reports released by Ball State University's Bureau of Business Research. The research conducted by Michael Hicks, director of Ball State's Bureau of Business Research, details production-based industries in the 2008 State of the Industry Report, pointing out that manufacturing and logistics industries in most of the nation are growing despite a general belief these sectors are declining.

In addition to ranking top among the 50 states, the Show-Me State earned an "A," according to the 2008 National Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card issued by Ball State University. Missouri earned high marks for research and development efforts as well as relatively low long-term health care costs and health insurance premiums. Corporate and property taxes also are lower in Missouri than most states, according to the report card.

"It is clear that Missouri is on the right track when it comes to providing the economic climate companies are looking for," says Chris Chung, chief operating officer for The Missouri Partnership. "The Missouri Partnership was designed to serve as the lead business recruitment and marketing organization for the State of Missouri. As we continue to cultivate economic growth within Missouri, we will use information like this, as a tool to revitalize Missouri as the state with Real People and Real Opportunity."

States were graded on 19 categories, including property taxes, sales taxes, unemployment insurance, corporate taxes, crime and percentage of the population with college degrees.

Last year was a record year for American manufacturers with inflation-adjusted values higher than in any previous year, according to the 2008 State of the Industry Report issued by Ball State. Nationally, growth in the production of goods continues to be robust, and even as the U.S. economy began slowing in the final quarter of 2007, industrial production rose at an annual rate of 2.8 percent.

Missouri Partnership

The Missouri Partnership is a business-and government-supported sales and marketing organization designed to promote Missouri as a top destination for business investment and expand Missouri's economy by recruiting new industry and jobs to the state. The creation of this organization ensures that Missouri remains highly competitive in the global race to win new capital investment.