I’ve never been one to dwell much on the past. My eyes are usually glued to the road ahead as I contemplate what to do next. However, 2011 has left us all feeling a little more fragile than usual. Am I right? Perhaps it makes sense to look in the rearview mirror just this once to take a look at where we’ve been. It’s then that we can see how far we’ve come and provide some valuable perspective on the future.
If there are people in southwest Missouri who doesn’t believe 2012 will be better than the year we are rapidly bringing to a close, I have yet to meet them. As we entered 2011, most businesses were still feeling the full burn of the recession. Adding insult to injury, the May 22 tornado west of Springfield devastated prime Joplin landscape and took with it so many businesses. Joplin Public Schools lost 260 classrooms, or half its total learning space. More than 9,200 Joplin residents lost their homes.
Have you had enough reminiscing? I say goodbye 2011. Good riddance!
Before leaving the year behind entirely, however, it’s important to acknowledge all that has been accomplished, beginning with the very day of the storm.
Neighbors have been helping neighbors since Day 1, including community and business groups from Springfield. Competing health care systems continue to work in tandem to meet the needs of the Tri-State community. The Public School system, with the help of local design and construction talent, accomplished what the rest of the world thought was impossible. Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce rallied the support of chambers in three states to help area businesses recover as quickly as possible. While there is a great deal of work still to come, Joplin is primed for better things ahead and Joplin residents are stronger and more determined than ever before.
SBJ Publishing founder and Chairwoman Dianne Elizabeth Osis has been quoted as saying Joplin will lead the entire area out of recession in 2012. I contend that already is happening. People are going back to work. New jobs are being created on a daily basis.
We look forward to the road ahead. To borrow a line from 1980s band Timbuk3, “The future’s so bright, we’ll have to wear shades.” [[In-content Ad]]
Dame Chiropractic LLC emerged as the new name of Harshman Chiropractic Clinic LLC with the purchase of the business; Leo Kim added a second venture, Keikeu LLC, to 14 Mill Market; and Mercy Springfield Communities opened its second primary care clinic in Ozark.
