As the second largest industry in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma, food and beverage manufacturers joining the MOKAN region benefit from communities who already understand their utility and workforce needs. By offering strong utility partners and local governments that are familiar with the planning and zoning needs of the industry, the MOKAN region provides food and beverage manufacturers with the resources, talent, and infrastructure to thrive.
Located where Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas meet, our tri-state region is at the heart of the Midwest and at the center of a booming agricultural community. Our strategic position also connects producers to major population centers through direct access to the I-44 and I-49 corridors, multiple rail lines, and convenient access to regional and national distribution hubs.
Here, manufacturers benefit from a low cost of doing business and no inventory taxes on warehoused goods, making the MOKAN region a smart choice for food processors, beverage producers, and cold storage operators seeking to optimize operations.
And our communities understand the importance of a skilled and dependable workforce. Through strong partnerships with local colleges and training centers, the region has developed talent equipped for food safety compliance, logistics, equipment maintenance, and production efficiency. Employers gain access to workers who are ready to meet today’s demands but are also adaptable to tomorrow’s innovations in automation and sustainable production.
Contact the MOKAN Partnership at 417.624.4150 to learn how you can tap into a region where efficiency, affordability, and opportunity come together to support manufacturing growth.
– Tim Johnson
Plant Manager
General Mills Joplin Plant
The MOKAN Region is served by four Class I railroads—BNSF, Union Pacific (UP), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), and Norfolk Southern (NS)—providing robust national freight connectivity.
With over 7,200 workers in food and beverage manufacturing—nearly five times the national average for a region its size—the MOKAN Region offers a deep, skilled talent pool.
The MOKAN Region sits at the crossroads of I-49 and I-44, offering direct north-south and east-west interstate connectivity.
As the MOKAN region’s second-largest industry, food and beverage manufacturing is thriving—creating a strong ecosystem where new and expanding companies will feel right at home.
