Number of
Missouri Businesses
Grows in 1Q05
In the first quarter of 2005, there were an average of 160,564 private establishments in Missouri employing 2,191,240. This was an increase from 158,084 private establishments with 2,151,881 employees in the first quarter of 2004.
By size of firm, the largest increase in the number of businesses were in those employing fewer than 5, with an increase of 1,656, or 1.8 percent. By percentage increase, the number of establishments employing 250-499 increased 5.1 percent, or 28 establishments.
By employment increase, businesses with 100 to 249 employees increased employment by 10,013, or 3.0 percent, from the 1st quarter of 2004 to the 1st quarter of 2005, while establishments employing 500 to 999 employees increased by the fastest rate at 6.0 percent, or 8,551 employees.
Small businesses, as defined by the Small Business Administration, are those companies employing fewer than 500 employees. Small businesses in Missouri added more businesses and employees over the year compared to large businesses.
Source: MERIC and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
