A technology company announced Thursday that it would locate to southern Missouri, the Missouri Department of Economic Development said.
Provalus, an IT solutions firm, said it will expand in West Plains, investing $1 million and creating up to 200 new jobs over five years. The company will be housed within the refurbished West Plains Grocery, established in 1923.
“Provalus’ decision to come to West Plains is a testament to Missouri’s appeal to high-tech employers,” said Gov. Mike Kehoe. “Whether it’s our low cost of living or our skilled workforce, Missouri has what it takes to compete in tomorrow’s economy. We commend this company’s dedication to rural communities and look forward to its success in West Plains.”
Provalus, headquartered in Alabama, provides customized solutions in areas such as cybersecurity, network operations, quality assurance and data analytics. The company’s commitment to establish a new facility in West Plains represents a significant economic and workforce opportunity for the community, officials said.
“This new site in West Plains is more than an expansion — it’s an extension of our mission to revitalize rural America,” said Mike Keogh, president of Provalus. “We’re proud to plant roots in Missouri and continue proving that innovation and opportunity can thrive in small towns across the country. This is where purpose meets progress, and where we’ll continue building meaningful careers that benefit both the people who work with us and the communities they call home.”
Provalus’ West Plains expansion will include the hiring and training of entry-level candidates to become quality assurance testers, data security experts and system engineers, with an emphasis on reshoring technology solution service jobs back to the United States.
“We’re excited for West Plains as Provalus brings new jobs and fresh opportunities to the community,” said Michelle Hataway, director of the Department of Economic Development. “This project is a prime example of DED’s mission, helping Missourians prosper, and we’re proud to support Provalus as it does just that.”
Provalus will benefit from the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation.
Fantastic news—what a remarkable impact this will have on the West Plains community! 🎉 At the same time, I’m hopeful our city leaders in Houston will take notice and maybe bring home like-minded opportunities for us.