What is SAMA's history?
The Southwest Area Manufacturers Association (SAMA) was founded in 1993 as an association representing manufacturers in the Springfield area. When the US economy plunged into recession in 2001, the manufacturing sector was hardest hit and suffered massive job losses. Missouri led the nation with over 51,000 manufacturing jobs lost. As a result, in September 2002, SAMA members voted unanimously to broaden SAMA's outreach into the Southwest Missouri region and intensify its efforts to become an effective advocate for manufacturers. Today, SAMA is the only organization focused solely on representing the interests of manufacturers in Southwest Missouri. Its primary purpose is to promote, preserve and advance manufacturing.
Who is eligible for membership?
All manufacturing companies in the 32-county Southwest Missouri region are eligible for membership in SAMA.
The 32 counties that form the Southwest Missouri region are:
Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Camden, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Henry, Hickory, Howell, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Miller, Morgan, Newton, Ozark, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster and Wright
Missouri manufacturers that are interested in membership, but are outside the 32-county region described above, should contact Rita Needham, SAMA Executive Director, at 417.863.7262 or rneedham@samamo.org.
What is considered manufacturing?
A manufacturer is defined as an enterprise which adds value to materials or semi-finished products, by use of labor or machinery, so that the final product has a different use or function, and has a greater value than it had prior to the work being performed.
How are SAMA's membership dues calculated?
Membership dues in SAMA are based on the number of full-time or equivalent (2 part-time = 1 full-time) employees.
Employees |
Dues |
| Less than 25 |
$270 |
| 25 to 49 |
$380 |
| 50 to 99 |
$540 |
| 100 to 249 |
$810 |
| 250 to 499 |
$1,080 |
| 500 to 749 |
$1,350 |
| 750 to 999 |
$1,620 |
| 1,000 + |
$1,890 |
