Springfield Business Journal_2021-01-29

SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 3 WINTER 2021 T his past year year was chock-full of data. Area health departments and hospitals carefully tracked COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations. Federal and state gov- ernments dispersed trillions of dollars in stimulus aid to individuals, companies and agencies. Some business owners pored over financials and looked to cut costs to keep operations afloat. Others evaluated processes to manage rapid growth brought on by the unique needs of 2020. And here at Springfield Business Journal, we re- corded it all. Our storytelling is centered on the data. The numbers weave a narrative, and the people behind the numbers bring the story to life. Throughout this edition of the Book of Lists, you’ll find those numbers and the people. Each list is carefully researched to tell the story of an industry. We publish this information for you, our readers, to inform and guide your business deci- sions. And we rely on you and all area businesses to share your stories with us. Thank you for trusting us and taking the time to submit information. Much thanks also goes to SBJ researcher Karen Bliss, who compiled the majority of the lists in this book, as well as the entire editorial team that edits these lists each week. The newsroom is also appreciative of SBJ’s sales team, who connects us with new and growing businesses in our community. Finally, a round of applause to this year’s featured artist, Ashley Laren, whose work is fea- tured on the cover of this book. We’re bursting with creative talent in the Ozarks, and that is something to be proud of. Welcome to the 28th Book of Lists. —Christine Temple Features Editor and Audience Development Director, Springfield Business Journal “Caves on Lake Supe- rior” is an acrylic paint- ing that is a part of Ashley Laren’s “Wanderlust” se- ries, which originated over a desire to escape her studio apartment during the 2020 COV- ID-19 pandemic. Photos from previous vacations served as inspiration to- wards creating new colorful and dynamic land- scapes. By building these new landscapes from old memories, the imagination can travel beyond the confines of one’s home. Laren is a young Springfield artist who uses her passion for art to both fuel her own work, but also aid others in the local art community. She gradu- ated from Missouri State University in 2019, with a bachelor’s degree in art history with minors in museum studies and studio art. In the past year, she has helped establish the Artists Empower- ment Collective, a subcommittee of the Springfield Regional Arts Council that works to amplify and celebrate artists of color in the greater Springfield area. See more of Laren’s art at AshleyLaren.com. COVER ART Data, Data Everywhere The 28th annual Book of Lists helps tell the story of our community Ashley Laren Karen Bliss, Researcher