Eyes and Ears: Bush visit, Heer's tour christen news editor

Eric Olson is Springfield Business Journal News Editor.

What a week.

My first week as Springfield Business Journal news editor is under my belt.

What started with SBJ's Economic Impact Awards July 22 at The Tower Club, concluded with President Bush's Springfield visit July 30. Scattered in between was a Gov. Bob Holden press conference and tour at Heer's, and a conference call with Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Kelvin Simmons.

Another paper to bed, another paycheck in hand; such is the life of a weekly news junkie.

But in this column I get to reflect on the week's events. Here I'll strive to bring you news in the making or offer tidbits that otherwise aren't found in regular coverage.

This column will serve as the eyes and ears of SBJ's newsroom.

Economic Impact Awards

The Economic Impact Awards brought nearly 300 businesspeople to The Tower Club to recognize the top companies in five categories for their contributions to the area's economy, and to honor CoxHealth's Larry Wallis for Lifetime Achievement in Business.

In alphabetical order, honorees were Great Southern Bank, Mathews and Associates, Nixon & Lindstrom, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Group and The Waterford at Ironbridge.

Keynote speaker Kelvin Simmons of the DED said these companies have done their part, as Missouri ranks No. 2 in job creation since January with 59,600 new jobs.

Take pride in these numbers, he told us, and take pride in Springfield. He then challenged us to spread the good news about Missouri's economic condition, particularly the fact that Missouri was No. 1 in the nation for job creation in June with 27,000 jobs.

Heer's press conference

One step into the 89-year-old Heer's building downtown, and it's no shock this building has been desolate nearly 10 years. Scents of stale air and mildew greet you at the door. The 1980s-era colors soft pink and mint green scattered graffiti and broken glass are also telling.

But all that is changing.

Jefferson City Developer Vaughn Prost, who has built a niche in redeveloping historic structures around the state, is seizing a golden opportunity here with the help of city and state officials, as well as historic tax credits.

On July 23, Gov. Holden announced the state would lease Heer's office space for the Department of Health and Senior Services. About 85 employees from two Springfield locales will consolidate in Heer's.

Before Holden's press conference, he looked around inside. "I used to buy shirts here," said Holden, who attended Southwest Missouri State University. "Now the square is on the way back."

Springfield officials already have committed to acquiring and leasing Heer's space.

"Now it's up to banks and businesses to invest in downtown," Prost said. "Let's lease the space."

DED conference call

Simmons reiterated his economic good news during a July 26 conference call. Simmons reported that since July 2003, Missouri's job growth ranks second in the nation with nearly 83,000 new jobs. And between January 2001 and June 2004, Missouri netted 5,600 jobs despite losing 77,000 jobs in the heat of the recession.

"We find this news quite exciting because it shows we are bucking the national trend and adding, not losing jobs. This is a strong trend that we expect to continue," he said.

Simmons gave three reasons: manufacturers are more efficient and productive; new businesses are building a future foundation for job growth; and strong public/private partnerships, including the abovementioned Heer's redevelopment.

Simmons called manufacturing, life sciences, tourism and construction the most promising sectors.

Four more ?

President Bush wasted no time counteracting Sen. John Kerry's stirring acceptance of the Democratic presidential nomination in Boston July 29. The next morning more than 9,000 southwest Missouri citizens greeted Bush at Hammons Field for what Bush called his first stop in the Heart and Soul of America tour.

As with any political rally, standing ovations were commonplace. Here's what Republicans in the Ozarks cheered for:

"The heart and soul of America is found right here in Springfield, Missouri."

"I will never turn over America's national security decision to leaders of other countries."

"There is nothing complicated about supporting our troops in combat."

"Our conviction that every life matters and every life counts will not change."

"We stand for institutions like marriage and family, which are the foundations of society."

After the rally, about 200 Kerry supporters outside chanting, "Four more months" and waving signs that read, "Help is on the way" and "Draft dodgers shouldn't start wars."

A short shouting match ensued, "Four more years" versus "Four more months," as Springfield police officers kept the scene in check. A single arrest was made.