SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL ·
BOOK OF FACTS-3
FALL 2017
WELCOME
A
lot can be said about a com-
munity’s identity, the fabric
of who we are, collectively.
The city of Springfield
and the surrounding region – from
residents to public officials and busi-
ness leaders – currently are working
through identity issues, asking the
right questions:
• Who are we?
• What are the attributes of Springfield
and the region that make us unique?
• Who and what do we want to be-
come?
This book can provide some an-
swers. The facts serve as a foundation
to build upon.
I see the contents in the annual Book of Facts as statistical guideposts to
lead us toward the future. Yes, history repeats itself, but we can alter the future
with the right information in hand. It’ll take time, years maybe, to properly
flesh out those answers and until we see a new identity begin to take shape.
We’re moving in the right direction. The reality of numbers, and their as-
sociated meanings, can spur us to action.
You have a tool for change right here.
Welcome to the 2018 Book of Facts.
—Eric Olson
Editorial Director,
Springfield Business Journal
HEALTH CARE 5-12 COST OF INSURANCE 6 INSURANCE COVERAGE 7 MEDICAID MCO SPENDING 8 MEDICAID SPENDING 9 AGE DISTRIBUTION 10 TOP JOBS 11 HOSPITAL PATIENT VOLUMES 12 TOURISM 13-18 HOTEL MARKET SNAPSHOT 14 AIRLINE DESTINATIONS 15 ECONOMIC IMPACT 16-17 ROOM SUPPLY/DEMAND 18 MANUFACTURING 19-23 EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES 20 INDUSTRY MARKET SHARE 21 EXPORTS 22 GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT 23 DEMOGRAPHICS AND EMPLOYMENT 24-29 COST OF LIVING 25 POPULATION CHANGE 26 EDUCATION LEVELS 27 TOP OCCUPATIONS 28 WAGE TRENDS 29 FINANCIAL 30-34 SBA LENDERS 31 CREDIT UNIONS SNAPSHOT 32-33 DEPOSIT MARKET SHARE 34 GOVERNMENT 35-41 CITY OFFICIALS 36 MISSOURI ELECTED OFFICIALS 37 STATE REPRESENTATIVES . . . 38 SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE SENATORS 39 U.S. SENATORS/ REPRESENTATIVES 40 MISSOURI CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES 41BUSINESS
RESOURCES 42-43
SOUTHWEST MISSOURI CHAMBERS
OF COMMERCE 42-43
Special thanks to
Springfield-based
photographer and artist Julie
Blackmon, who furnished
artwork for this book.
We selected her piece,
“Sidewalk,” for the cover.
It’s part of Blackmon’s
Homegrown photo series.
Blackmon’s works are
shown in galleries from the Fahey/Klein Gallery in
Los Angeles to Robert Mann Gallery in New York,
and she’s been commissioned for cover art by New
York Magazine and Time, as well as pieces for
actress Reese Witherspoon. The Homegrown series
was exhibited at The Photographers’ Gallery in
London, and closer to home, Blackmon’s work has
been displayed at the Crystal Bridges Museum of
American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
READ BETWEEN
THE LINES
Fourth-annual book builds upon statistical
guideposts to carve out region’s identity
Julie Blackmon
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER
ART
Wes Hamilton,
graphic design
and layout
Matthew Henderson,
research