Open for Business: Republic Branch Library

Republic Branch Library
The new Republic Branch Library location is now open on the same property where the former facility operated at 921 N. Lindsey Ave. The Feb. 2 opening of the 22,000-square-foot facility marked the end of its first phase, said Tysha Shay, manager of the Republic branch. Nabholz Construction Corp. is general contractor for the $11.1 million project designed by Paragon Architecture LLC. The new branch more than doubles its prior space and is being tackled in two phases. It features an expanded youth services section that has a much larger children’s area with a dedicated story time space and an adjoining teen area, Shay said, adding a 150-seat auditorium will open in the second phase this spring as the old branch was demolished to make way for more parking. Additionally, the new branch includes six meeting rooms, a makerspace for patrons to create recordings, music and videos, an outdoor patio and a nature walking trail. The Friends of the Library provided a $500,000 gift for auditorium naming rights, Shay said.
Phone: 417-732-7284 
Web: TheLibrary.org/branch/republic-branch-library

CoxHealth Rehabilitation Hospital
Following a Jan. 21 ribbon-cutting ceremony, CoxHealth Rehabilitation Hospital opened to patients on Feb. 3 at 1660 W. Garton Road in Ozark. The 63-bed, one-story facility spans 63,000 square feet on eight acres of land and is a joint venture between CoxHealth and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania-based Select Medical Holdings Corp. (NYSE: SEM). Select Medical officials said the project cost was $30 million. KCI Construction Co. served as general contractor, and Omaha, Nebraska-based HDR Inc. was the architect. Lisa Hallam is CEO of the new rehab hospital, which officials say has a staff of roughly 120 full-time equivalent positions. Ashley Casad, president of Springfield Hospital Group and senior vice president of operations for CoxHealth, said the property and building is owned by CMC Ozarks Rehabilitation LLC, which serves as the name of the joint venture between CoxHealth and Select Medical. Select Medical operates the rehab hospital as the managing partner, with officials noting the partnership is structured as a 51-49 relationship.
Phone: 417-551-9669
Web: CoxHealth-Rehab.com

Four States Bank
The first Queen City branch of Carthage-based Four States Bank opened Jan. 5 at 2045 S. Glenstone Ave., said Jeff Williams, president and CEO of the company, dubbed 4SB for short. It’s the third branch for 4SB, joining its locations at 1946 S. Garrison Ave. in Carthage and 1232 S. Range Line Road in Joplin, both of which he said opened in August 2024. The company, which debuted in 2024 as the first new bank charter approved in Missouri in roughly 16 years, also runs an operations center at 213 Lyon St. in Carthage. Of the company’s 31 employees, officials say 11 are working in Springfield, which includes three new hires who form a mortgage department for the local branch. Williams said 4SB’s targeted audience is small- to medium-sized businesses. He said as of the end of 2025, 4SB has accrued $95 million in assets, $70.6 million in loans and $71.5 million in deposits. For its new 7,000-square-foot branch, Williams declined to disclose startup costs and terms of the five-year lease the company signed with building owner South Glenstone LLC.
Phone: 417-316-8387
Web: 4SB.com