Workforce/Unemployment
• The Springfield area’s unemployment remains below the state and national averages.

• Nationwide, unemployment was at 8.5% in January (Missouri Economic Research and Information Center).

• Statewide unemployment was at 8.7 percent in January (Missouri Economic Research and Information Center).

• Springfield area unemployment was at 7.6% in January (Missouri Economic Research and Information Center).

Economic Development/Capital Investment
• At Partnership Industrial Center West (PIC West), Seltzer Companies will begin production soon at its 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility, recently completed by Morelock-Ross Builders.  The Seltzer expansion will result in 50 new jobs.

•  Also at PIC West, NorthStar Battery is completing a 300,000 square foot expansion of its manufacturing facility.  It is expected to be complete in early summer. Contractor is Walton Construction.   NorthStar Battery’s expansion will result in 300 new jobs.

• Construction on a 154-door FedEx Freight facility is underway, also expected to be complete in early summer.  Contractor is Rich Kramer Construction.  180 jobs will be retained/created as a result of this project.

• Construction continues on the four story office building for BKD, LLP in downtown Springfield.  The $21 million project is scheduled to open in late summer.  Contractor is OPUS Northwest.

• Jack Henry & Associates continues to complete site work for the construction of its 170,000 square foot office building in southeast Springfield.

• McLane Co. Inc. announced plans to build a 400,000 square foot grocery distribution center in Republic.  Facility will employ 400 people.

• CoxHealth is moving ahead with $119 million in construction projects, including the Meyer Orthopedic Center at Cox Walnut Lawn, a new parking garage and a new emergency department at Cox South.

Business Expansions/Relocations/Growth
• Rick’s Automotive is undergoing a 14,000 square foot expansion.

• Candy House Gourmet Chocolate’s had its most profitable Valentine’s season this year.

• U.S. Photonics received $95K national grant to develop a next-generation lithium-ion battery for use in consumer electronics and the military.

• Springfield-based Incredible Pizza Company, Inc. has three new locations under construction, with five additional locations planned for 2009.  (New locations are elsewhere)

• On March 3, Springfield-headquartered, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. ‘s stock hit a 52 week high. 

Higher Education
• Ozarks Technical Community College reports record enrollment, an increase of 5.5 % to 10,395 students.


Infrastructure/Transportation
• New terminal at Springfield-Branson National Airport will open May 6. Contractor is Walton Construction.

• Intersection improvements at Chestnut Expressway and   I-44, as well as the newly-constructed Airport Boulevard, are scheduled to be complete simultaneously to the terminal’s opening in May.  Contractor is APAC-Missouri, Inc.

• Springfield-Branson National Airport announced its 13th direct flight destination---Los Angeles (LAX).

• $186 million in local highway improvement projects underway and on the horizon include:
--U.S. 60/65 interchange
--Widening of U.S. 65 to six lanes
--MO 13 & I-44
--Glenstone & I-44
--Passing lane on U.S. 60 between Monett and Republic
--Widening of U.S. 65 to four lanes to Buffalo
--Relocating northbound lanes of Route 13 to Bolivar