2024 Economic Impact Awards 75+ Years in Business: Crawford Murphy & Tilly Inc.

In 2011, Steve Prange, senior vice president and director of business development and strategy, relocated from Illinois to Springfield to oversee the acquisition and expansion of Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Inc., a consulting firm with a 78-year history in the engineering sector. Since its operational launch in Springfield, CMT has experienced substantial growth, transforming from a team of nine employees generating $1 million annually to a workforce of 37 employees and over $8 million in revenue. This growth strategy, focused on diversification both geographically and in services, has more than doubled the firm’s local size and expanded its reach far beyond its Midwestern home base.

“We give our staff opportunities to not only work on great local projects, but we give them opportunities to work on these types of projects all over the country,” Prange says.  “Everyone grows and gets better when you collaborate.”

Locally, CMT has been instrumental in the Lake Springfield redevelopment master plan, a large-scale project in collaboration with the city of Springfield and City Utilities.

“The visioning and imagination that came with that process are going to be a game-changer for economic development,” Prange says.

He is also excited about Gov. Mike Parson’s $577.5 million budget allocation for the I-44 corridor expansion. CMT is working with the Missouri Department of Transportation on the Springfield section of the project. “These improvements will benefit local commuters and have a significant positive impact on the community,” he says.

CMT’s innovative approach also extends to airport planning, with significant expansions underway for the Springfield-Branson National Airport. “It’s exciting to see what the next 50 years will look like, from terminal expansions to general aviation facilities and parking,” Prange says. “This planning shapes the first impression of our community for business leaders and visitors alike.”

Beyond infrastructure, CMT emphasizes the quality of place in its projects. “We can’t just do engineering and planning; we need to marry these with solutions that enhance economic development and community appeal,” Prange says.

With so many projects on the horizon, one of the significant challenges CMT faces is the declining pipeline of engineering students. “We have to get creative about recruitment and connect our workforce to deliver nationwide,” Prange says. CMT collaborates with Missouri State University and Missouri University of Science and Technology, offering desirable work opportunities to attract top talent.

“We value the Midwest work ethic,” Prange says. “High character and great work ethic are traits that have a lot of value.”