Springfield: Room to Grow

The third largest city in the Show-Me State, Springfield is a tried-and-true location for companies looking to locate in the Show Me State.

Springfield's central location, stable tax climate, affordable cost of doing business, robust talent pipeline and community leadership make the city a top choice. Springfield also boasts housing costs that are 25 percent lower than the national average, an average commute of 20 minutes and an 8.5 percent growth in workforce over the last four years.

In 2017, the city saw substantial investments and job creation from a variety of industries.

One Call Care Management, a Jacksonville-based worker's compensation care management service, chose Springfield for its latest expansion. The company created 100 new full-time jobs and is operating out of a 65,000-sq.-ft. building formerly occupied by UnitedHealthcare. The company noted the region's central location and established health care industry made Springfield an attractive location, as did finding a move-in ready facility and a talented workforce.

Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce noted that one of the region's top priorities is to enhance the area's available real estate to be able to respond to companies' needs as they grow. "Having speculative space available to accelerate a company's speed to market is important to us," says Rachel Snow, marketing coordinator of economic development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. "Thus, we're focused and committed to partnering with area developers to bring speculative buildings ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 square feet, with the ability for expansion to our market."

Snow notes that the people from outside the region are often surprised to learn about a particularly unique business park in Springfield built out of a former limestone quarry and mine.

Springfield Underground is a subterranean business complex located more than 100 feet below ground. The complex is composed of roughly 5 million square feet of manufacturing, warehouse distribution and data center space. Some of Springfield Underground's partners include Kraft Heinz, Springfield Grocers, Hiland Dairy, Hammons Products and Jarden Plastics. In addition to having rail access, more than 300 trucks enter the complex daily.