Feds abandon plan to redefine MSAs

The federal government abandoned a plan to adjust the criteria for metropolitan statistical areas.

The decision means the core city in an MSA still will be required to have at least 50,000 residents. The government considered adjusting the threshold to 100,000 people.

Toby Teeter, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, applauded the move, saying much of economic development funding goes to MSAs. Joplin would have lost its status if MSAs were adjusted as planned.

Read more from the Joplin Globe.