Accelerating Economic Recovery and Prosperity

Established in 1801, Springfield’s story of prosperity began tied to agriculture, then publishing, automotive and a diverse cluster of metal working industries. Known early on for birthing the Kelly Springfield Tire Company, the Crowell-Collier Publishing Company and International Harvester, among others, Springfield has a rich history of accomplishment but isn’t content to rest on its laurels. Like many industrialized communities in the Midwest, the last recession was a challenge to the local economy, and while the recovery has been slow, it has been steady.

Over the next five years, the Chamber is proposing to concentrate its efforts on programs and activities to fulfill this mission, and take a bold next step through EXPAND GREATER SPRINGFIELD 2024, a $4.1 million public-private initiative to accelerate economic recovery and prosperity. Both measurable and accountable, this plan aligns financial and human resources to achieve synergy and exponential return on investment.