Letter to the Editor: Next year marks a new chapter for Springfield area chamber

Dear editor, 

Just over a year ago, I joined the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as the director of regionalism and economic development, essentially “on loan” from City Utilities. Working for the chamber, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the staff dedicated to advocating for and on behalf of its members.

For more than 40 years, the chamber’s economic and workforce development arm, the Springfield Business Development Corp., has led job and business investment in our community. Growth has been primarily in industrial, manufacturing and office sectors, influencing a huge range of catalytic community projects. I am confident in continued growth with the economic development infrastructure we have created at the chamber and with our partners. 

Gary Gibson, president and CEO of City Utilities, and Matt Morrow, president of the chamber, agree, which has paved the way for me to transition away from the chamber by the end of 2024. We will be posting the chamber’s vice president of economic development position soon to seek an individual with a long-term commitment to Springfield. In my role at CU, I will continue to engage in the collaborative partnership among Springfield’s Partnership for Economic Development, including CU, chamber/SBDC, city of Springfield and Greene County, advancing our community’s economic needs. I will also remain actively involved in the newly launched Leaders for Ozarks Regional Evolvement to continue accelerating the region’s growth, a model inspired by the chamber’s 2022 Community Leadership Visit to northwest Arkansas.

The caliber of the chamber team, the development of a new five-year strategic plan and the support of chamber members and SBDC investors is a recipe for success. In the past year, economic development staff have sold more than 95 acres of Partnership Industrial Center West, supported local firms through the Business Retention and Expansion program and heavily invested in research to help businesses and partners made data-driven decisions. Utilizing robust data, facilitating local reinvestment and marketing the community to outside businesses is fundamental for economic development to serve the community well for years to come. 

My role was always intended to be temporary. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as a staff member of the chamber, and I look forward to witnessing the team usher in the next phase of economic growth for Springfield and the surrounding region. 

—Dean Thompson, Springfield