Springfield chamber board endorses lodging tax for convention center

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's board has endorsed the lodging tax for the proposed convention and events center project.

The lodging tax, which is scheduled to appear on the April 7 ballot, would help fund a convention and events center with an additional 3% tax on hotel, motel and short-term rental accommodations. That would bring the city's lodging tax to 8% from 5% and sunset in 35 years.

Chamber board Chair Jessica Harmison-Olson, who co-owns Maxon Fine Jewelry, said in a news release that the convention center project would be beneficial to the local economy.

"This is about positioning Springfield for long-term success,” Harmison-Olson said in the release. "A modern convention and events center will help us compete for additional events and hosting opportunities that our facilities currently cannot support. That means increased visitor spending, stronger support for our local businesses and citizens, and greater momentum for downtown investment.”

The chamber release points to projections that the facility could generate $1.3 billion in new visitor spending and $68.7 million in tax revenue over 30 years.

The construction cost of the convention center is estimated at $175 million. Additional land acquisition expenses would bring the total up to $205 million – but only if the city receives a $30 million allocation from the state, according to past reporting. That allocation was approved by the Missouri legislature but withheld by Gov. Mike Kehoe, who has the sole authority to decide whether to release it before June 30. 

The November 2025 iteration of a 3% lodging tax contained no sunset but instead was planned as a permanent measure to be paid for by guests to the city’s hotels, motels and short-term rentals. That tax failed at the polls in a light-turnout, single-question election, with 7% of city voters participating and 52% of those rejecting it, according to past reporting. The chamber board also endorsed that tax measure. 

In the chamber release, President Matt Morrow said the lodging tax, if approved, would strengthen the business community.

"Leading regional economic development means embracing generational opportunities that accelerate the success and prosperity of our community and region,” Morrow said in the release. “This ballot proposal prioritizes stakeholder input and directly aligns with our five-year strategic plan by strengthening our region’s ability to attract talent, support existing businesses and enhance quality of life for residents.”