Springfield Business Journal_2021-04-26

by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net Promoting homeownership and renovating residential prop- erties are key drivers behind a city initiative introduced last year. Restore SGF officially kicked off in November, but Richard Ol- lis, owner of Ollis/Akers/Arney insurance agency and a Spring- field councilperson, said the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the formation of the effort. Still, he said the need to bolster the city’s housing stock in the city – particularly in its historic north-side neighborhoods – is important, no matter when it’s tackled. Boosting the homeownership rate in Springfield is one of the program goals, Ollis said, citing a November 2020 analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data by internet listing service RentCafe. In it, Springfield’s renter rate was 59% in 2019, an increase of nearly 11% from 2010-19. By comparison, Missouri has a home ownership rate of 71%, according to 2020 census data. “Regardless of the factors here now, we’re approaching 60% rentals in the city of Springfield,” he said. “We’d like to stem that tide. We believe homeowners typi- cally are better neighborhood advocates and property maintainers, although that’s not true across the board.” Ollis, Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc. President Brian Fogle and state Rep. Bill Owen, R-Springfield, are founding organizers of Restore SGF, along with Neighborhood Advisory Council Chairperson Rusty Worley and city Plan- ning and Development Assistant Director Brendan Griesemer. The initiative is a collaborative effort to enhance, restore and rehabilitate homes and provide a central resource for all resi- dential incentive and loan programs. Restore SGF’s pilot neighborhoods are Grant Beach, Midtown, West Central and Woodland Heights, Ollis said. “The predominance of homes that we’re focused on are north of Chestnut Expressway,” he said. “We want to rehabilitate homes in our historic neighborhoods. It doesn’t take but a drive around town for you to see that many of our housing conditions have deteriorated. We want to provide resources and knowledge, Meat companies make contrasting moves Newly opened Schuchmann Meat Co. plans expansion while longtime player American Meat Co. shutters by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net A Springfield meat company with more than 60 years in operation has shut its doors just as an industry new- comer arrives on the scene. American Meat Co. owner Jason Owen abruptly closed the business April 9, citing frustration at his in- ability over the past several months to fill employee va- cancies. The company, which was founded in 1959, had been in the Owen family since the 1980s, he said. “I was wearing people out, the guys I did have,” Owen said, noting he and one employee were all that was left upon closing. “I’ve been trying to hire people for over four months. You can’t find anybody who wants to work.” American Meat Co.’s closure comes weeks after Schuchmann Meat Co. debuted in Springfield. Hus- band-and-wife owners Chad and Julie Schuchmann opened a 1,500-square-foot shop Feb. 26 at 4406 S. Campbell Ave., Ste. 100. It’s the first of three stores the MCKENZIE ROBISON See MEAT on page 33 See RESTORE on page 34 MORE BEEF Chad and Julie Schuchmann, owners of Schuchmann Meat Co. on South Campbell Avenue, plan to open two more shops next month in Springfield. Restore SGF seeks to lift housing stock City program initially targets north-side neighborhoods Richard Ollis wants to stem the tide of high rental rates in Springfield. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT An equipment rental company that ke eps digital tabs on machin ery usa ge is on track to reach $1 b illion in annual revenue. PAGE 6 $2.00 · SBJ.NET APRIL 26-MAY 2, 2021 · VOL. 41, NO. 40 40 YEARS • YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY