Specialty Risk Insurance to relocate Carthage headquarters for expansion, added jobs

Carthage, MO – Specialty Risk Insurance, a family-owned agribusiness and commercial insurance agency, has announced it will relocate its headquarters to a larger facility just off Interstate 44 in Carthage, Missouri, to allow for its continued growth. The project entails a $5.3 million investment and will create 201 jobs over the next six years.

“We love and appreciate the support we’ve been shown by our community, and we are excited about the opportunity to invest back into our hometown and our people,” said Kevin Charleston, owner of Specialty Risk Insurance. “We’ve always had the long-term goal of building a place our kids want to work, and this expansion allows us to continue the growth to make that possible.

“We pride ourselves on serving our neighbors and being active in the industries we serve, especially agriculture, so keeping close to home made this move a natural fit.”

The new location will be off I-44 at Exit 22, across the highway from Joplin Regional Stockyards.

“We look forward to expanding our team with people who desire careers where they can grow personally and professionally while we continue providing personalized services to our clients throughout the U.S.,” Charleston added.

“The Carthage Economic Development Corporation is excited to help facilitate the job growth of a long-time Carthage business like Specialty Risk Insurance,” said Jeff Meredith, CEO of Carthage Economic Development Corporation. “Anytime quality jobs can be created, it’s a sign of growth for both the community and the company itself. The CEDC is eager to help support this project, as Carthage reaps the benefits of economic expansion.”

Specialty Risk Insurance has multi-faceted agents that are well-versed in their areas of expertise. The company’s team strives to simplify the insurance process to get clients back to business. New jobs added as part of Specialty Risk Insurance’s expansion will pay an average wage well above the county average.

“It’s exciting to see Specialty Risk Insurance growing and creating jobs in Carthage,” said Gov. Mike Parson. “Our state’s favorable business climate, skilled workforce, and strong infrastructure continue to result in business growth statewide. We look forward to Specialty Risk Insurance’s ongoing success as it benefits its community and our state’s thriving agriculture industry.”

Specialty Risk Insurance is one of the top agribusiness insurance agencies in the nation. The company’s team of insurance agents live and work in their specialized agriculture industries, ensuring customers receive unmatched industry knowledge. Specialty Risk Insurance offers a wide range of coverage that includes production agriculture, food processing and packaging, livestock, machinery and equipment, aviation, and more.

“It’s exciting to see the job growth Southwest Missouri will experience from Specialty Risk Insurance’s expansion,” said Theresa Sampaio, Southwest Regional Manager for the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “Specialty Risk Insurance is doing great things for the Carthage community and we are happy they chose Missouri for this expansion.”

For this expansion, Specialty Risk Insurance will participate in the Missouri Works program, a tool offered to help businesses expand, retain employees, and purchase equipment to maintain facilities in the state.

“We’re proud to support Specialty Risk Insurance alongside our partners as it continues to thrive in Carthage,” said Michelle Hataway, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Development. “This expansion is adding more than 200 good-paying jobs for the community and surrounding areas, helping Missourians prosper in the southwest region.”