Survey confirms economy's strength

by Karen E. Culp

SBJ Staff

Springfield businesspeople are pleased with the economy and pretty sure it's going to stay strong. The 2000 Commerce Bank Economic Survey shows optimism about most aspects of the local and national economy among local business leaders.

Commerce Bank conducts its annual survey among about 800 local business leaders who have attended its economic conference in the past, said Bob Hammer-schmidt, president and chief executive officer for Commerce.

The bank compiles a mailing list from among its economic conference attendees, then sends them a survey that asks various questions about the local and national economy. The results of the survey are published each year to coincide with Commerce's annual economic conference, Hammerschmidt said.

For the 2000 survey, 800 people were surveyed and 255 responses were received.

"That's a pretty good sampling for this size of market," Hammerschmidt said.

Commerce will hold its annual economic conference Nov. 2, where the survey will be provided to attendees for their review. The Nov. 2 event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the University Plaza Hotel. Frank A. Cappiello will be the featured speaker at the event.

"We're bringing Cappiello back by popular demand. He's been one of the biggest draws for this conference