What I’m Watching: Springfield growth, data-center decisions and the workforce ahead

August 21, 2026

This week reinforced something I think matters for Springfield: our regional economy has real momentum, but sustaining it will depend on the fundamentals underneath that growth. The data from our SBDC Economic Outlook were encouraging. The questions around housing, talent, infrastructure and the broader state economy were just as important. Those are the advantages - and potential constraints - I'm watching closely.

Here's what I'm watching…

Springfield's economy is outperforming. Protecting that advantage is the next challenge.

At Wednesday's Springfield Business Development Corporation Economic Outlook, St. Louis Fed economist Charles Gascon showed that Springfield real GDP grew about 3.3% in 2025, compared with roughly 2.0% nationally and 1.5% statewide. The forecast shows growth moderating this year, so this isn't a straight-line story - but our recent relative performance is significant.

The local panel helped bring the challenge home. Business investment remains strong, but housing and skilled workforce are becoming more obvious constraints. Affordability has long been one of Springfield's competitive advantages, yet recent housing-cost data suggest our position has become less favorable relative to nearly every nearby Midwestern community we compete with. We don't yet know whether that's a one-year anomaly or an emerging trend.

Why it matters: We've set a goal of growing regional GDP 75% from 2020 to 2030. Reaching it will require sustained growth, not one strong year. Housing affordability, talent and the infrastructure needed to support growth aren't side issues to that goal - they're part of whether we can achieve it.

Source: Springfield News-Leader, Aug. 20 - Read more

Missouri offers a useful data-center framework just as Springfield asks for input

The bipartisan Missouri House Future Caucus has released an AI Infrastructure Community Evaluation Framework to help local governments evaluate data-center proposals. The framework focuses on questions including utility reliability, water, infrastructure costs, incentives and measurable community benefit - and explicitly says it is intended to help communities evaluate opportunities rather than tell them whether to support or oppose a project.

The timing is particularly relevant here. The City of Springfield and City Utilities have public input sessions coming up on August 27 and September 1 as they work through Springfield's own approach during the current administrative pause.

Why it matters: Data centers can represent enormous capital investment, but they also create legitimate questions about power capacity, infrastructure, ratepayers and future growth. I expect strong concerns and opposition will be part of these local conversations, and those voices deserve to be heard. I also think it's important for the business community to participate - not to shout anyone down, but to make sure reasonable voices focused on facts, tradeoffs and Springfield's long-term competitiveness are at the table. The new state framework may provide a useful way to structure some of that discussion. Learn more about Springfield's local review process and how to participate.

Source: Missouri House Future Caucus, Aug. 11 - View the evaluation framework

SPS puts an AI playbook behind tomorrow's workforce preparation

Springfield Public Schools has added a dedicated AI Handbook to its 2026-27 student resources. It's a tangible next step just two weeks after Dr. Grenita Lathan used the Chamber's State of the Schools program to emphasize priorities including workforce readiness and digital citizenship.

Why it matters: Preparing students for tomorrow's economy means more than teaching the skills employers need today. AI literacy - including knowing how to use these tools responsibly and when human judgment matters more - is quickly becoming part of workforce preparation. I came away from State of the Schools encouraged by the momentum in our public school district, and this is one concrete example of SPS trying to prepare students for the economy they're actually going to enter.

Source: Springfield Public Schools - View the SPS AI Handbook

Missouri's labor market is giving us a more encouraging signal

Missouri's unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in July, compared with 4.1% nationally. The state estimates payroll employment increased by 8,100 jobs during the month and by 29,400 over the past year, while Missouri's labor-force participation rate remains above the national rate.

There is an important caveat: BLS says Missouri's monthly payroll change was not statistically significant, although the decline in unemployment from 4.0% a year ago to 3.6% was. So I wouldn't read too much into one month's number.

Why it matters: Southwest Missouri has often been an economic bright spot even when the statewide picture has been less helpful. We can continue to outperform, but it would be a meaningful tailwind if Missouri as a whole begins performing better too. One month doesn't make a trend, but this is an encouraging signal - and one I'll be watching to see if it continues.

Sources: Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Aug. 19; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Aug. 21 - Missouri report | BLS report