30 Points of Change/30th Anniversary

Leading up to Springfield Business Journal’s 30th anniversary, SBJ staff knew something special was in order to commemorate the occasion, and this special anniversary edition is the result.  

SBJ Publisher Dianne Elizabeth Osis came up with the idea of looking back at key moments that have shaped business in the Ozarks. Though there are undoubtedly countless moments that have made southwest Missouri business what it is today, the editorial team decided to choose only 30 significant changes since 1980 that have made a lasting impact on the local economy. The 30 Points of Change were ranked by a vote of the editorial staff.

We hope you enjoy reflecting with us on 30 years of business in the Ozarks.

• No. 1 Springfield’s Medical Mile
• No. 2 Ozarks Technical Community College
• No. 3 O’Reilly goes public
• No. 4 Bass Pro Shops’ nationwide expansion
• No. 5 Formation of PIC and PIC West
• No. 6 Zenith closing
• No. 7 Branson’s boom
• No. 8 Hammons Field and Springfield Cardinals
• No. 9 SRC takeover
• No. 10 Police & Fire Pension Fund shortfall
• No. 11 Jordan Valley Park/Vision 20/20
• No. 12 Name change for Missouri State University
• No. 13 Heer’s end
• No. 14 Springfield-Branson National Airport Expansion
• No. 15 Hammons Tower construction
• No. 16 Jordan Valley Innovation Center
• No. 17 Wonders of Wildlife
• No. 18 Commercial Street’s start-and-stop development
• No. 19 Red’s Giant Hamburg farewell
• No. 20 Artsfest, First Friday Artwalk, Cider Days launch
• No. 21 Branson Landing
• No. 22 Park Central Square reopening, revival
• No. 23 Willow Brook Foods closing
• No. 24 Walmart Supercenter, Sam’s Club expansions
• No. 25 Springfield Underground
• No. 26 JQH Arena
• No. 27 Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab
• No. 28 Banta, McQueary sales
• No. 29 BKD downtown HQ
• No. 30 Library Center, district expansion

Articles
Leadership through the decades
Three Decades of Publishing
Community connections create 30 years to treasure
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