Springfield, Missouri Growing

Springfield, which comprised only 7 percent of Missouri's total work force in 2004, accounted for more than one-third of Missouri's job growth.

And, according to Greg Williams, senior vice president for economic development at Springfield Business & Development Corp., the region has not stopped growing since.

In fact, a recent study by Joseph Haslag, associate professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that job and income growth in Springfield is outpacing that of St. Louis and Kansas City.

Williams cited several reasons for Springfield's growth, including the area's geographic centrality, its low utility costs, and the business- and tax-friendly environment, in addition to it being an attractive area in which to live. The area's cost of living also is, on average, about 10 percent below that of the national standard.

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