ABSTRACT
Since World War II, several of Missouri's economic sectors have experienced faster growth than the nation, namely farming, manufacturing, transportation, and communications and public utilities. On the whole Missouri manufacturers, business, and residential dwellers have access to reliable, competitively priced energy service. Six factors have greatly influenced Missouri's economy. The first of these factors is a peculiarity in the economic attitudes and expectations of the state populace. A second factor, which has tended to lend stability to Missouri's agricultural income, is the specialization of Missouri farms in meat and milk production. A third factor, which has had a large impact of farming but also on manufacturing, is mechanization and automation. A fourth factor is the presence or absence of federal and state government employment. A fifth factor is the cost advantage or disadvantage of securing certain raw materials such as chemicals and leather. The sixth factor is geographical location with its associated market advantages and disadvantages.
