Strategic Access to Missouri’s Most Educated County
Southern Boone County offers businesses a unique advantage: strategic access to one of Missouri’s highest-quality workforces. Located between two major employment centers—Columbia and Jefferson City—you’ll find educated, skilled professionals who value small-town quality of life without sacrificing career opportunities.
A Highly Educated, Ready Workforce
Boone County stands as Missouri’s most educated county, with a majority of adults over 25 holding bachelor’s degrees. In Ashland specifically, 39.5% of residents have at least a college education, with 25.6% holding bachelor’s degrees and 13.6% holding graduate or professional degrees.
This isn’t just a bedroom community where people sleep and commute elsewhere for work. Southern Boone is actively building professional career opportunities right here, attracting talented individuals who bring diverse experiences and expertise to the region.
By the Numbers
Key Workforce Statistics
Talent Ready to Stay Local
U.S. Census data shows Southern Boone County residents work across diverse sectors—but 92.4% currently commute over 15 minutes to reach their jobs, with many traveling to Columbia or Jefferson City. This represents an opportunity: bring quality careers here, and you’ll tap into skilled professionals eager to work closer to home.
Our residents currently work in:
- Education (749 residents)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (638 residents)
- Construction (381 residents)
- Public Administration (338 residents)
- Transportation and Warehousing (338 residents)
The region also has strong representation in finance and insurance, professional and scientific services, retail trade, manufacturing, and information technology.
We’re actively seeking businesses that offer professional, living-wage careers—especially those with 20-40 employees who can benefit from our educated workforce and strategic location between two major employment centers.
Competitive Wages Across the Region
Southern Boone’s location between Columbia and Jefferson City means you can recruit from a broad, skilled labor pool.
Average Annual Wages by County:
- Boone County: $59,688
- Callaway County: $56,776
- Cole County: $55,952
Wages by Occupation (Metropolitan Statistical Areas):
| Occupation | Columbia MSA | Jefferson City MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Management | ~$109,700/year | ~$97,600/year |
| Business & Financial Operations | ~$78,000/year | ~$67,900/year |
| Computer & Mathematical | ~$86,300/year | ~$73,900/year |
| Architecture & Engineering | ~$84,700/year | ~$83,900/year |
Commute Patterns and Labor Shed
The majority of Southern Boone residents (70.7%) have commutes of 15-30 minutes, with many working in nearby Columbia (15 minutes) or Jefferson City (16 minutes). This means your business can tap into the wider labor pool of both employment centers while offering employees a better quality of life in a small-town setting with excellent schools and lower crime rates.
Comprehensive Workforce Training Programs
You don’t have to go it alone when it comes to building and training your workforce. Southern Boone businesses have access to exceptional training resources and incentive programs.
Ranken Technical College
Ranken Technical College brings a proven model of employer-partnership workforce training to Southern Boone County.
Available Programs
- Carpentry & Building Construction Technology
- Industrial Maintenance Technology
- Fabrication & Welding
- Custom programs can be developed based on business needs
Missouri One Start
Administered regionally by Moberly Area Community College, Missouri One Start can significantly reduce your training costs while ensuring new hires are job-ready from day one. The program offers:
- Customized recruitment assistance
- Pre-employment screening
- Job-specific training design
- On-the-job training support
- Relocation reimbursement for out-of-state hires
New Jobs Training Program (NJTP)
For companies creating substantial new jobs, NJTP significantly reduces training costs and helps you get your workforce up to speed quickly. The program provides financing through community college-issued certificates that are repaid using a portion of new employees’ state withholding taxes.
Job Retention Training
Already have a team but need to update their skills? Missouri’s Job Retention Training Program (JRTP) and Missouri One Start provide training assistance to help you retrain your existing workforce and retain jobs in the state. These programs help eligible businesses with customized training to meet changing business needs.
Customized Training Through Local Colleges
Work directly with educational partners to develop training programs tailored to your specific industry and business requirements.
Educational Partnerships That Work
Southern Boone Economic Development Council helps connect businesses with premier educational institutions for workforce development:
Ranken Technical College
Southern Boone County’s newest educational asset. Opened in January 2024, Ranken brings vocational excellence directly to mid-Missouri with programs in Carpentry & Building Construction Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, and Fabrication & Welding.
Moberly Area Community College
Regional administrator for Missouri One Start with comprehensive workforce training programs
University of Missouri-Columbia
Research partnerships, workforce programs, and access to emerging talent
Columbia College
Adult education and workforce development
Lincoln University
Business, education, and professional workforce programs
Stephens College
Specialized programs in communications, arts, and professional studies
William Woods University
Professional programs and workforce training partnerships
Westminster College
Liberal arts foundation with professional workforce preparation
Need help with workforce recruitment or training?
While SBEDC doesn’t directly recruit for individual businesses, we connect you with the right resources and educational partners—especially Ranken Technical College—to help you build the team you need.
Top-ranked schools.
Eight universities nearby.
Direct industry partnerships.
Learn how Southern Boone’s education ecosystem strengthens your workforce➨
Building Your Team in Southern Boone County
Whether you’re a startup looking for your first employees or an established business expanding operations, Southern Boone offers the workforce quality you need with the community character your employees will love. Contact us to discuss your workforce needs and discover how SBEDC can help you succeed here.
Contact Us About Your Workforce Needs