Chamber of Commerce: Top 10 -- Springfield's recognition brings attention to area

Recently, the city of Springfield broke into the top 10 of America's Best Places to Live and Work, as determined by Employment Review.

Springfield's "thriving econ-omy, first-rate education and superior health care" put it at No. 9 on the list. "It may have one of the most common city names in America, but Springfield ... is a well-kept secret just waiting to be discovered," the review stated.

Employment Review annually researches more than 300 cities across the nation, looking at quality of life, educational standards and opportunities for companies wanting to expand and relocate.

Also considered were unemployment rate, projected job growth and cost of living.

"With thorough statistics on everything from housing costs to crime to employment, this guide will surely help job seekers and employers decide what city to call home," the review stated.

The benefit of this recognition stretches far beyond the city of Springfield to the entire region. This is a tremendous tool to assist with economic development efforts in the region. This attention not only will publicize Springfield's assets, but it will draw attention to other assets our smaller communities in the region.

It is critical to recognize the importance of a regional economy and how communities in the area contribute to this economy. Each community in our region has advantages to offer, and it is important to assist them in identifying and marketing their assets and how they fit into a regional economy.

No one community can meet the needs of all businesses or individuals. Each community needs to identify the niche it can fill and create a development plan that will support its objectives.

Springfield's recognition will bring benefits, but it is more important to understand how the region contributes to this success. The most obvious contribution is how the regional work force affects Springfield businesses.

Workers from a more than 40-mile radius support Springfield's economy. Business growth and job growth are strong because of the population and work force growth rate throughout the entire region. Other elements, such as quality of life, cost of living and health care, have no boundaries.

Tourism, retail shopping and the service industry also have a huge economic impact. Our area public schools, colleges and universities are tremendous regional assets that continue to impact our economic success.

Although there are many other examples of how the region benefits Springfield and how Springfield benefits the region, the point is that we need to continue to work together.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce formally recognized the importance of a regional economy in 1996 by establishing its Regional Council. Over a year and a half ago, the chamber took regional economic development to the next level, thanks to the investment from Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.

By creating a full-time economic development program to assist communities throughout the area, our region has become stronger.

Creation of the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership is an effort to allow community and business leaders in a 10-county area to work together, addressing common issues that will affect our economic growth.

We live and operate in a regional economy, and our ability to work together has a direct relationship on our economic prosperity.

Each community has unique strengths that contribute to our economic success. This diversity is what strengthens the partnership and the region.

We are all working together for the same goal to make the Ozarks a better place to live and work. Not only should Springfield be proud of this recognition, the entire region should be proud. Thanks to Employment Review, others will recognize our success as one of the top 10 best places to live and work in America. Now we have to go show the rest of the world.

The Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership is a program of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce in association with Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. and 58 partner members throughout the Ozarks region.

(Allen Kunkel is the manager of regional development with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.)