MERIC and the U.S. Census operate a unique program called Local Employment Dynamics(LED). LED generates and analyzes such local labor market information as employment, industry, residence and commuting (even out of state commuting) patterns, even maps.

LED allows identification of regional economic hotspots -- those places which generate economic activity for their region -- such as:

         Cape Girardeau
         Caruthersville
         Columbia
         Hannibal
         Maryville
         Independence
         Kansas City
         Sedalia
         Warrensburg
         Jefferson City
         Joplin
         Moberly
         Poplar Bluff
         St. Joseph
         Sikeston
         Springfield
         West Plains