$30M earmark for Springfield convention center included in Missouri Senate budget proposal

A long-discussed goal of adding a new convention center to Springfield appears to be moving closer to fruition.

The Missouri Senate passed state budget measures on April 30, with 13 bills appropriating nearly $50 billion for the coming fiscal year, according to reporting by the Missouri Independent.

The Senate budget proposes a $30 million earmark to the Queen City in one-to-one matching funds for a convention center, city of Springfield officials verified.

A precise location for a new convention center – or plans to update the existing one – have not been announced.

The budgeting process began with a Missouri House spending plan of $48 billion. The Senate plan adds $1.6 billion more but falls $575 million short of Gov. Mike Kehoe’s initial request. Now, the reconciliation process begins.

The Independent reported the House proposed 149 earmarks totaling $295 million, and the Senate cut 57, totaling $126.3 million, while adding 169, totaling $441 million. The Springfield convention center earmark was added by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield.

The budget must be approved by the legislature one week before the end of the legislative session, meaning its constitutional deadline for approval is this Friday, May 9. Fiscal year 2026 begins July 1.

City of Springfield spokesperson Cora Scott said via email that the city, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Springfield, Missouri, formerly the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc., have worked together and pooled resources over the years on the convention center effort, and they have commissioned numerous studies related to it. Most recently, Scott said, Hunden Strategic Partners was engaged in late 2024 to provide an updated feasibility study for a convention and event center in the city.

This is the fourth study completed by Hunden, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. The 2019 study identified two possible locations for a convention center: a downtown site next to the Springfield Expo Center, 635 St. Louis St., considered the top option in a 2016 study, and a site on Sunshine Street west of Bass Pro Shops and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, across from the southern entrance to the Grant Avenue Parkway multimodal road and pathway. SBJ reported in October 2024 on the demolition of a former 104,000-square-foot Kmart store at the Bass Pro site.

A convention center has also been suggested as part of a proposed $1 billion transformation of the Lake Springfield site, for which a master plan was announced in October 2023.

Scott said that an updated version of the Hunden study is not yet ready for release, but its results would be available in a couple of weeks.

“The study’s initial findings show that investing in a regional event center would significantly boost revenue for Springfield and the entire state of Missouri,” she said. “Further, the potential economic impact is $1.37 billion over 30 years and will generate an estimated $75.8 million in direct state taxes.”

Scott said in the city’s conversations with Sen. Hough, it was evident that the senator believes a regional event center will create a significant economic ripple for the city and the entire state.

Scott said the city is committed to the $30 million match and is ready to explore using its tax revenues from every source on the project. Economic development incentive tools will also be explored, she said, and added that the city is committed to working with the private sector to advance the project.

Scott said the earmark came as something of a surprise to the city.

“This funding opportunity arose unexpectedly, but the city is incredibly grateful for it,” she said. “It underscores Sen. Lincoln Hough’s strong support and visionary leadership for Springfield, the region and the state.”

She added that the opportunity is a significant one.

“We would be remiss if we did not explore it thoroughly for the benefit of our residents,” she said.

As the city continues to attract opportunities like the national Route 66 Centennial Kickoff event and national and international conventions, a modern venue could be a game-changer.

“This would be a facility that both locals and visitors alike would enjoy,” she said.

In a prepared statement, Springfield Mayor Jeff Schrag said the convention center represents an exciting moment for the city.

“This is recognition of the Springfield metro’s growth in significance in the state,” he said. “Funding items such as this happen routinely for St. Louis and Kansas City, and we are grateful to finally be acknowledged in this way.”

Schrag added that the potential investment in a regional events center complex is more than a local development, but rather it is a bold step for the region.

“For too long we’ve watched valuable tourism and event business drift to neighboring states because our current facility no longer meets modern demands,” he said. “The proposed partnership with the state of Missouri represents an incredible opportunity to reverse that trend, boost our economy and generate significant long-term sales tax revenue for both Springfield and the state. We’re ready to bring this vision to life.”

The Springfield Daily Citizen first reported on the earmark of $30 million for a Springfield convention center.