No. 9: Regionalism efforts take hold in Springfield area

Years or decades from now, 2024 may be seen as the bellwether for regionalism discussions in the greater Springfield area.

Regionalism conversations kicked off in full force this year, perhaps most notably with the formation of Leaders for Ozarks Region Evolvement, or LORE. The nonprofit with member commitment from multiple CEOs in the Springfield area is charged with leading a regional rebranding effort.

The LORE name was announced in April after the Hatch Foundation and Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. in January recommended the creation of a new nonprofit that would be dedicated to regional branding, workforce development and quality of life.

“It is happening,” Hatch Foundation Executive Director Erin Danastasio said in June. “We have a fund that’s been created, and it’s being housed out of the Community Foundation for the Ozarks currently.”

LORE continues to gather support from business leaders, and this summer announced that veteran economic development professional Dean Thompson would serve as the nonprofit’s interim executive director starting in the fourth quarter.

LORE is patterned after a similar organization, the Northwest Arkansas Council, which has shaped its region’s development for more than three decades from its home base in Springdale, Arkansas. LORE’s website announces the name, emblazoned over a photo of rolling Ozark hills, with the tagline “Writing the Future of Our Region.” An explanation of the organization states, “LORE, Leaders for Ozarks Region Evolvement, is uniting efforts aimed at improving quality of life and attracting a skilled workforce in the broader Springfield region. LORE aims to catalyze transformative change over the next 20 years, effectively writing the future for our community.”

In SBJ’s 2024 Economic Growth Survey, business leaders were asked, “What assets of the Springfield region should be developed to better compete for businesses and talent?” What SBJ discovered was that the ideas could be sorted into 10 discrete categories, ranging from infrastructure and safety improvements to quality of life considerations and that local theme that keeps popping up – regionalism.

Jonas Arjes, senior vice president of economic development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, says one of his current projects is evaluating the Springfield Regional Economic Partnership, under the chamber’s economic development arm, and how best to promote regionalism among the 10 counties in its purview.

A regionalism program is planned to roll out in early 2025, Arjes said.