It’s been a full year and counting since the 2011 tornado that impacted the entire Joplin community in one way or another. Like so many others who have remained in business or who have re-emerged at some point during the year, we at Joplin Tri-State Business Journal are counting more than the days that have passed since May 22, 2011. We are counting our many blessings.
In the days immediately following the storm, JTBJ had to assess its own ability to carry on. We were physically among the fortunate with no damage to our facility, utilities or Internet. However, our primary source of revenue, advertising, was uncertain at best. We had to ask ourselves how long we could realistically expect to keep reporters on the street and keep printing pages if the businesses that had traditionally supported what we do were temporarily unable to direct any of their budgets to advertising.
The short answer: We couldn’t sustain business as we had known it without the continuing financial support of the community. Fortunately, we didn’t have to. JTBJ launched a program called Rebuild Joplin Business in which we pledged 50 percent of the revenues from all new and continuing advertisers to subsidize print and online programs for tri-state businesses that were adversely affected by the storm. Both the Joplin tri-state and Springfield communities supported this program beyond our expectations, generating a total advertising relief fund of nearly $50,000. More than $35,000 has been disseminated to date, with remaining funds to be awarded through the end of August. The generosity of the community meant struggling businesses could continue to get their advertising message out during the recovery period and JTBJ could keep printing pages.
The next blessing came when JTBJ qualified for an economic injury loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s disaster recovery program. The assistance we received at such a critical time allowed us to retain the staff we had come to depend on as well as bring on an additional full-time account executive to service existing clients and to help grow the business.
Kobie Langford came to work with us on Jan. 3 full of energy and ready for a challenge.
Earlier this month, it appeared our luck had changed when longtime editor Chris Roberts announced his resignation. Roberts accepted a job that will allow him to do both of the things he loves: writing and working in a Christian youth ministry.
It was difficult to see Roberts go to Christ In Youth Inc., but we were reminded once again that with adversity also comes opportunity. Carole Liston joined our staff as the new editor of JTBJ with this current issue. Liston’s name was mentioned by several friends of JTBJ as the natural choice for this position because of her exceptional writing, photography and knowledge of tri-state faces, places and businesses. We are fortunate to have Liston and thankful also to have continuing assistance and support from Roberts through this transition.
Among our blessings we count our friends who have served as valuable sources of news and information, staffing and financial resources. Likewise, we are grateful that we have been able to serve a purpose during this difficult year for the tri-state area.
It continues to be incredibly rewarding to be able to tell the stories of recovery, to connect area businesspeople, and to honor local professionals for their accomplishments and civic engagement.
May 22, 2011, was a tipping point for JTBJ in a sense.
As I look back, it is clear that we could just as easily have fallen backward as tip forward.
It was the moment in time that made it clear that we couldn’t just continue to exist. We would have to work harder, improve our content and accept help.
Our sincere thanks goes out to the tri-state community for being there to embrace us.
Jennifer Jackson is publisher of SBJ Publishing Inc., the parent company of Springfield Business Journal and Joplin Tri-State Business Journal. She may be reached at jjackson@sbj.net.
