Dear Business Leader,

As a local business leader you understand and appreciate growth and development, and that’s why it’s important for you to know about a new five-year economic growth plan under development.  Please take a moment to thoughtfully consider what our county will be like five years from now. Will we diversify our economy so that we are not dependent on the fortunes of one or two main industries? Will business and community leaders within the region continue to collaborate to maximize our competitive advantages? Will we remain a community where talented people want to live, conduct business, and raise a family?  We certainly hope you agree these are important questions to ask and more importantly that you want to assist us in answering them.

Ultimately, this new plan is about expanding our regional economy while simultaneously growing your individual business.  To ensure the success of this effort, a reinvigorated partnership between The Chamber of Greater Springfield, the City of Springfield and the Clark County Commission will execute it through the Community Improvement Corporation of Springfield-Clark County (CIC).  We call the effort “Expand Greater Springfield 2024” and it’s been established to facilitate and promote economic development innovation, workforce development/talent attraction, retention and expansion of existing businesses, and new business investment for the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).  The three largest and most respected economic development organizations have come together to ensure that the best and brightest ideas to promote economic growth are implemented jointly by private-sector and public-sector leaders. Both measurable and accountable, this plan aligns financial and human resources to achieve synergy and exponential return on investment, while eliminating duplication of effort.

This dynamic partnership will continue to develop and evolve under our collective leadership and through the input and involvement of a great number of your peers.  However, we need your personal engagement as well to continue shaping the Springfield region. Your individual actions will help create the type of economy and communities we all desire because it takes teamwork to reach goals of such magnitude.

Expand Greater Springfield 2024’s mission is clear:  to expand economic prosperity for all. To achieve this, we have embarked upon an aggressive, five-year business plan currently budgeted at $4.1 million.  Developed with the input of 60+ city and regional leaders, this development plan is a continuation of the work of the CIC over the past several years and is the direct result of nearly twelve months of insightful discussion with area manufacturers, commercial and industrial businesses, K-12 and post-secondary institutions, government entities and small businesses throughout Clark County. Targeting the key industries of Agribusiness, Advanced Manufacturing, Logistics & Distribution, and Professional Services the projected economic impacts of this effort, according to Atlanta, GA-based Convergent Outcomes Lab, on our regional economy include:

We have agreed to serve as leaders of Expand Greater Springfield 2024’s Campaign Cabinet and our organizations are helping to underwrite the five-year program because we consider this comprehensive economic development effort to be of critical importance to Clark County and the entire region. Now we are asking you, and a select group of other area business and community leaders, to join us as supporters of this effort. As a business leader in our community you will benefit significantly through our collective success.

«First», we have agreed to serve as leaders of Expand Greater Springfield 2024’s Campaign Cabinet and our organizations are helping to underwrite the five-year program because we consider this comprehensive economic development effort to be of critical importance to Clark County and the entire region.  Now we are asking you, and a select group of other area business and community leaders, to join us as supporters of this effort.  As a business leader in our community you will benefit significantly through our collective success.

Being a “supporter” of this effort in no way obligates you or your firm to pledge financial support; nor will it require your attendance at any meetings or take away from your valuable time.  Rather your support simply reaffirms to the community that you are committed to enhancing the economy of Clark County for generations to come.  By virtue of you receiving this invitation only letter, we are proactively placing your company name on our roster of supporters.  However, if you do not wish to be included in our community marketing materials you may call or email Nancy Wintrow (937-325-7621 or nwintrow@greaterspringfield.com) by February 28 to be removed.  If you choose to remain you will be letting us know we can count on you for three things:

FIRST:  Allow us to acknowledge your interest in enhancing the regional economy by publishing your name and organization in our campaign materials and website, www.expandgreaterspringfield.com, as a supporter.

SECOND:  Become more informed about the reinvigorated partnership and the expected benefits of its strategic economic development initiatives to your bottom line. 

THIRD:  Support this critically important project as your time, interest and resources permit.  

We enthusiastically urge you to join us in making sure that the community’s economic vitality is bright for generations.

With optimism for the future and our warmest personal regards,