Overheard

Three out of four Springfieldians would like more job opportunities, according to the city’s 2006 Citizen Survey. There were 838 residents participating in the survey, which recorded a 53 percent response rate – the lowest in a decade. Other findings: A quarter of those surveyed responded negatively to the access of affordable quality health care in the area, and more than a fifth were unhappy with employment opportunities. Desire among respondents to attract new businesses to the area remained strong this year, with 86 percent indicating the issue was very important. Respondents were similarly interested in expanding existing local businesses, with 85 percent ranking the topic very important. Growth policy issues, such as attracting more visitors and continued downtown development, have grown in importance over the last 10 years. In 1996, 57 percent of respondents said attracting more visitors was very important. Ten years later, that number is 67 percent. Also, less than half of respondents considered downtown development very important in 1996, compared to nearly 60 percent today. Traffic congestion was again cited as the biggest problem facing Springfield. Almost 70 percent of respondents said improving traffic flow is very important. Opinion Research Specialists of Springfield conducted the survey, which has 3.5 percent margin of error.

Speaker sales

Ozark-based SLS International Inc. is on track to receive millions of dollars in royalties in a license agreement with an audio-equipment manufacturer and distributor. Under an agreement announced June 29, SLS has granted DGM Audio LLC exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture, market and sell headsets and headphones that use SLS’ patented ribbon-driver technology and other company trademarks. DGM plans to produce and market the headphones immediately and expects to have them in retail stores by the end of the year, according to an SLS news release. The agreement stipulates that DGM pay SLS a nonrefundable license fee of $300,000 and minimum annual royalty payments of $300,000 in 2007, $600,000 in 2008, $900,000 in 2009 and $1.2 million each year thereafter. Royalties also could increase; for example, if DGM sells 100,000 headphone products, SLS estimates it would receive royalties of about $1.5 million.

Last Chance

Tickets sales for Springfield Business Journal’s Economic Impact Awards run through July 24. EIA is SBJ’s signature event, where five of the area’s strongest companies will be honored and former City Manager Tom Finnie will receive the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award. The awards will be presented at a July 27 banquet in the White River Room at Bass Pro Shops. A 6 p.m. reception in the Sportsman’s Gallery will be followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony. Tickets are $45, or $320 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets, go to sbj.net.

The 2006 finalists, in alphabetical order, are: Burrell Behavioral Health, Empire Bank, and St. John’s Health System, in the Services category; Country Bunny Bath & Body, The Carpet Shoppe and O’Reilly Auto Parts, in the Retail/Wholesale category; Developmental Center of the Ozarks, Family Violence Center and Springfield Victory Mission, for Nonprofit of the Year; and Missouri Winter Games and Oxford HealthCare, for Innovator of the Year. Cruisin ’66 is the Entrepreneur of the Year.