Publisher’s Note: Foundations for Growth

If there’s one thing that stands out in this year’s SBJ Economic Growth Survey data, it’s that Springfield is still a place worth investing in.

Yes, confidence has cooled a little. About a third of business leaders say they’re less confident in the economy than they were a year ago. But here’s what matters more: 4 out of 10 still plan to expand right here in our market over the next five years. That tells me that while some are cautious, most still believe in Springfield’s long-term strength.

And they’re right to. The 2025 Economic Growth Survey points to two clear priorities for how we keep that momentum: infrastructure and housing. More than three-quarters of respondents said infrastructure is the top development need for Springfield to stay competitive, and 72% said housing. Everything else (industrial, recreation, office, retail) was far behind. Those numbers don’t just show need; they show where our opportunity lies.

We know financing is tougher this year. But we’re also seeing businesses turn to strategic partners and local banks more than ever before. That says something important about how this community works: We find a way. We lean on relationships. We stay creative when conditions change.

A few new concerns also popped up this year, including tariffs, cybersecurity, state minimum wage and housing availability. Those are signs that Springfield businesses are thinking bigger and paying attention to the full picture, not just what’s happening inside their own walls.

And there’s another data point I love: 63% of respondents said they want to see government improve or invest in infrastructure. That’s up from 46% last year. It tells me business leaders aren’t waiting around; they’re ready for public and private sectors to pull in the same direction.

Here’s how I see it: Springfield’s future isn’t just about what we build; it’s about how we build. The next stage of growth will depend on thinking and acting as a region, not just as individual cities or sectors. Infrastructure connects us. Housing anchors our workforce. These are the foundations that let everything else grow.

This isn’t a time to wait for growth to come to us. It’s time to keep building it – together.