Newsmakers in the areas of accounting, banking & finance, government, hospitality, human resources, manufacturing and nonprofit.

After a series of four study sessions on the topic, council gave first reading to an ordinance to adopt the city’s $507 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

It appeared to be smooth sailing for a pair of Springfield City Council measures to issue bonds for a set of improvement projects. However, a rogue wave sprang up in the form of a communication lapse with a stakeholder organization, the Ozarks Region Workforce Development Board.

Five commercial lots offered around site of Christian County offices.

Legislators secure $727M for I-44 upgrades while child care aid falters.

Housing has always been a focus embedded within other priorities, mayor pro tem says. 

May 25 is the scheduled launch date for The Rush Republic Aquatic Park.

The funding comes from the federal agency's Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund.

Local wages rise by 4.7% during the last three months of 2023.

Springfield City Council is considering $26 million in bonds to pay for acquisition of new workforce center and three other high-profile city projects. 

Jackson Thompson is tapped to succeed longtime Director Mike Crocker.

The city of Springfield is making big changes, according to Springfield Art Museum director Nick Nelson, and the museum is positioned to lead the way. 

The Springfield Art Museum will pursue a two-phase path toward its $50 million renovation and expansion project.  

Area provides possibilities for growth through annexation.

The assets of late hotelier John Q. Hammons transferred to his largest creditor in 2018 through a settlement reached in bankruptcy court. In recent years, a local development group has discussed purchasing a handful of those assets in a multifaceted deal that involves the city of Springfield and possible incentives, according to documents from the municipality.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the final ruling of its Pregnant Workers Fairness Act on April 15, with the rule going into effect June 18. Companies with at least 15 employees must provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations regarding pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition.

The legislation includes funding for Interstate 44 work.

Collections from the city of Springfield’s 3% sales tax on adult-use marijuana are lagging, with multiple dispensaries failing to remit the tax in the first three months of collections.

Reporter Karen Craigo writes up government and development coverage and analysis.

An updated Lawrence County Health Department facility is under construction in a new development area on the south side of Mount Vernon, according to project officials.