A diverse array of businesses have operations based in Randolph County. Both home grown and national chains have found success in the county, due to its diverse workforce, superb location, progressive government officials, and wide array of educational opportunities. There is continued opportunity for new industries to build on the success of the area.

Moberly is recognized for developing one of the first two rural fiber optic parks in the United States, taking advantage of communications technology developed by AT&T. Firms like G.E. Capital and Leaf Financial grew their operations or announced that Moberly was to be a center of their small ticket leasing operations due to the capacity provided. Moberly is also the home of a Scholastic Inc call center that receives calls for children’s book orders.

Transportation and distribution companies have located in Randolph County because of its prime location and the outstanding highway system surrounding Moberly. Norfolk/Southern Corporation not only provides excellent jobs to the area, but their operations in Moberly provide an additional distribution network. Wal-Mart, Orscheln Farm and Home, Mid-Am Building Supply, Scholastic Inc, and Excel Distribution have all based successful Distribution Centers in Randolph County. Omar Bradley Airport, on the north edge of Moberly, can accommodate corporate jets to help speed travel for business visitors. It’s two runways are appreciated by pilots as they make it easy to land no matter which way the wind is blowing.

Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is a major employer in the Northwest section of the county. They operate three electrical generating plants that produce 1,153 Megawatts of electricity on Thomas Hill Lake. Associated Electric’s decision to locate in Randolph County was not only a major economic benefit; it also provides one of the premier recreation facilities in the area, Thomas Hill Lake.

Area manufacturers include DURA Automotive, Wilson Trailer, Everlast Inc., Brown Corporation, Orscheln Products, LLC, Mack Hils, Inc., and Cardinal Health. These manufacturers produce a wide variety of products including automotive brake parts, cables and controls for industrial and military equipment, semi-trailers, boxing equipment and gear, healthcare products, and tool and die products.

Healthcare provides a major impact to the area with the Moberly Regional Medical Center being one of the largest employers in the county. Moberly has several local radio stations, a local newspaper, and high speed internetaccess. Numerous banks (national, regional, and local) also provide service in the area.

Agriculture and it’s related industries still provide enormous economic impact for the community. A new bio-diesel plant is planned just north of Moberly. Several saw mills are located in the county and a cooperage can be found just outside of Higbee, in the southern part of the county.

The Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation is constantly working on packages to attract businesses to the area. State incentives are also available to businesses that here. The EDC has several buildings and land in prime locations around Moberly available to incoming or expanding businesses.

Moberly Area Community College works to support local companies by providing training tailored to business needs. Associated Electric asked MACC to provide training to new Plant Operators and the Community College stepped up to provide a program. The college will provide a rapid response team to area businesses that are restructuring or in need of additionaltraining. Many local businesses send employees for refresher classes or to learn new job skills.

In addition to the Community College, the University of Missouri and two other colleges are thirty minutes south of Moberly, providing a steady stream of new graduates. The University of Missouri Extension office is very active in the community and can provide services to local businesses through their business development programs.

The Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce is active in making sure that Moberly is a great place to do business. The chamber was instrumental in getting Highway 63 expanded from a two-lane highway to a safer, high quality four-lane highway.