Springfield
Springfield,
Missouri claims an interesting slogan for
itself: “Everywhere Should Be Like This”. With a stable and steadily growing
economy, low living costs, low crime rate, great schools and healthcare,
surrounded by natural splendor, their slogan rings true.
Springfield is Missouri’s 3rd largest city, reporting a population
of just over 151,000 in the
2000 Census. The
Springfield Metropolitan Area reaches into
Webster,
Christian,
Dallas and
Polk Counties, reporting a 2004 estimated population of 248,000, showing
more than a 3% increase since 2000. Springfield’s strong economic influence
extends through twenty-seven Missourian counties, effecting nearly 965,000
people. In 2004, Springfield jobs accounted for more than one third of
Missouri’s total job growth. The city’s economic output doubled since 1997,
giving it the fastest growing gross metro product in Missouri, and ranking it in
the top 50 in the
U.S.
Springfield's unemployment rate has remained below 4.5% for the last decade,
while the metro area grew steadily at 2.2% since 1990. The health care industry
employs 30,000 people, and manufacturing, 17,000. Serving as a major
transportation hub, the trucking industry brings $14.3 billion in annually.
Springfield graciously hosts numerous
conventions, with an annual 2.2 million visitors staying overnight. The
Springfield-Branson Airport connects to 10 cities with more than 30 daily
flights. Annual retail sales for Springfield proper reach over $3 billion, and
for the metro area, more than $6 billion.
With all the dynamic growth and accelerating prosperity, Springfield retains
much of its original small-town values and attitudes. Strong civic leaders
funneled more than $250 million dollars into restorations in the marvelous
historic districts, built a grand
stadium for the
Springfield Cardinals, an ice-skating rink, and re-landscaped the many city
parks and recreation areas. Springfield boasts the choice of eight
institutes of higher learning to attend.
Springfield’s newly renovated
Downtown District is the “Cultural Heart of the
Ozarks”. A vibrant
art scene thrives here, with a host of galleries and two theaters for
performing arts. No fewer than nine
museums hold the treasures of the past. Visitors can take the
Battle of Wilson's Creek
driving tour, where the second major
Civil War battle took place. Rock hounds delight in the
Riverbluff Cave Field House, with an astonishing assortment of fossils from
the many caves in the region. Springfield’s Park Central Square is the site of
one of the famous
shootouts that
Wild Bill Hickok engaged in.
Springfield visitors can relax in one of the 600 excellent
restaurants and eateries, or enjoy live music at one of the many
nightclubs. Springfield remains a child-friendly city, with many fine
attractions just for kids.
If one cannot find enough to do within Springfield, MO., one can always go
under it. The
Crystal Cave offers a 90-minute tour past amazing formations and the Rainbow
Falls.
Fantastic Caverns is America’s only drive-through cave. Surrounding
Springfield is a wealth of National Forest and State Parks. The
Ozark Greenway Trail runs through a portion of Springfield and takes hikers
out of the city and into the mystery and the beauty of the Ozarks.
Springfield,
Missouri residents have good reason to think, “every
where should be like this”. It is easy to see how this outstanding southern
city received a 9th place ranking in the “Top 10 Places to Work and
Live” by
Employment Review Magazine.
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