Forbes’ list of the 400 wealthiest Americans includes some local folks

Forbes yesterday released its list of the 400 wealthiest individuals in America, and a handful are either local or have local ties. 

Coming in at No. 110 was Springfield, Missouri’s John Morris, the founder and owner of Bass Pro Shops. His net worth is estimated at $4 billion, but that largesse has not deterred Morris from seeking and receiving more than $500 million in taxpayer subsidies for Bass Pro-anchored developments over the years. The city of Independence has drawn about $8 million out of its budget in the past two years to keep afloat the bonds it issued to assist in the development of a Bass Pro Shop there. 

At No. 352, with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion, was Cerner CEO Neal Patterson. Cerner, of course, is seeking $1.6 billion in tax incentives to develop its new campus in south Kansas City. 

Min Kao, co-founder of the Olathe-based GPS company Garmin, ranked highest in the Kansas City metro area, at No. 243, with $2.3 billion. Wichita’s Koch brothers and Wal-Mart heirs from Columbia, Missouri, are also way up on the list. Have a look at the full list.