Choose Springfield – Invest in Our Regional Future (Sponsor Letter)

Dear Fellow Business Leaders,

After decades in commercial real estate and development, I’ve learned one fundamental truth: successful businesses don’t just operate in communities. They invest in them. Today, I want to challenge you to think differently about what it means to choose Springfield as your business home.

When Amazon, Convoy of Hope, and other major players were evaluating our region, they didn’t ask, “Are we in Springfield city limits?” They just wanted to be in the Springfield area. That distinction matters more than we realize. While we sometimes get caught up drawing boundaries and city lines, successful businesses see opportunity across our entire region. The numbers tell the story. When we studied new housing starts in Greene County, the greatest concentration was happening in areas that technically cross multiple jurisdictions. But retailers don’t care about those invisible lines. They follow rooftops and demographics. That’s why you’re seeing Target, Ross, Burlington, Ulta, and Chick-fil-A all choosing second locations in what might be Republic’s school district but feels like Springfield.

Here’s what I’ve witnessed firsthand: Springfield is the economic engine. Without Springfield, none of the other surrounding communities are going to thrive. But the flip side is that Springfield also benefits tremendously when the entire region thrives. Republic has excellent industrial land along Hwy MM with infrastructure in place and more coming. Springfield has financial resources.  Maybe we play to each community’s strengths instead of competing and everybody wins?

I currently have two spec warehouse buildings in Republic under construction because I believe in our region’s growth potential. That’s not just business confidence. It’s community investment. I’m betting on our collective future.

But growth isn’t just about new buildings or retail developments. It’s about people making the choice to be part of the solution instead of sitting on the sidelines complaining about problems. I’m reminded of Mother Teresa’s advice to Hal Donaldson: “Just do what’s in front of you.” If all half a million of us in this MSA did the thing that’s right in front of us, whether that’s volunteering at Convoy of Hope, Victory Mission, Boys & Girls Club, Ozark’s Food Harvest, your local church, trimming an elderly neighbor’s bushes, or mentoring a struggling youth or business owner, the impact would be transformational.

We have new leadership in Springfield with Mayor Jeff Schrag and City Manager David Cameron who understand that regional thinking drives regional success. They are working to streamline processes, reduce bureaucratic friction, and make it easier to do business across Springfield. This isn’t about being pro-business at the expense of neighborhoods. It’s about creating systems and processes that work for everyone.

Looking ahead, I see unlimited potential. We are made up of people who are doers and who want to see things accomplished. We have a good workforce, excellent healthcare, strong schools, and a cost of living that still makes sense. We’re not trying to become someone else. We are polishing the diamond we already have.

The question isn’t whether our region will grow. It’s whether you will be part of making that growth happen. Choose Springfield. Invest in our region. Be the catalyst for the change you want to see. Because when we work together regionally, the sky is the limit.

—Tom Rankin, Managing Director, SVN / Rankin Company