Outlook: Chamber: Work force, economic development top agenda

Changes are coming to the Springfield business scene in 2001 some of them physical, such as new structures in Jordan Valley Park, and others not so tangible, such as development of a quality work force for our businesses and professional organizations.

Four strategic priority issues will guide the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as it looks to a new year: work force, economic development, regional cooperation and public education.

Chamber members see a quality work force as issue No. 1. This year, the chamber will develop a plan to address four work force challenges:

availability

growth

development

One or more of these issues affects almost every business in Springfield.

It may be that a company cannot find an adequate number of employees to meet production demands.

Another business may find that its work now requires a staff with specialized training.

Once quality workers are in place, some companies face the challenge of retaining them.

These issues are real and pressing. As the area's primary advocate for business, the chamber will continue to address solutions to the work force issue.

In the process, we will seek input from our members and the community.

Economic development is central to the mission of the chamber.

In 2001, we will pinpoint three areas:

center city development

transportation

Partnership Industrial Center West

The unfolding of Jordan Valley Park gives impetus to center city development, and many changes are expected this year.

On the legislative level, we've made a priority the passage of tax increment financing for center city in this session of the Missouri General Assembly.

We will continue to work for facilities and infrastructure through public and private investment.

Transportation issues will be a primary topic in state and local government in 2001.

Continued improvements to our roads and bridges are vital to the region's growth and development.

As a member of the Transport Missouri coalition, the chamber will look for long-term revenue sources and support development of critical road projects, especially in Springfield, Missouri's third most populated metropolitan area.

As the newest of Springfield's industrial parks develops this year near the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport, our task of attracting new business to the area will be even more critical.

The initial response by businesses to Partnership Industrial Center West has been outstanding; both new companies and established companies looking to expand have shown interest.

We'll work to see this continue in 2001.

Regional cooperation made great strides last year as the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership, a program of the chamber and Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., brought together cities, counties and chambers in a 10-county area. Now the number of members has reached 53, and this diverse group will continue to work together on issues of shared concern such as creation of quality jobs and the environment.

The chamber board took a new position last year when it decided to endorse candidates for the Springfield Board of Education.

This year, no school board election will be held, but the chamber will continue its work in lending the voice of the business community to discussions and programs that deal with the education of our children.

The executive committee plans to continue its dialogue with the Springfield School Board, and we'll continue our roles in programs such as Students Go To Work, teacher externships and Partners in Education.

(James Anderson is president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.)