Chamber calls for City Council’s focus on business recovery

September 4, 2020

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Council President Pishioneri and Councilors Moe, VanGorden, Moore, Stoehr, and Woodrow,

As you return from summer recess under the weight of a number of pressing matters, I offer sincere appreciation for your service and the tough decisions before you. The business community is relying on your leadership to establish a definitive path forward.

We have so many things working in our favor. The professionalism of City employees, the leadership modeled by department heads, and the persistently optimistic business-friendly culture in Springfield are among these. On behalf of the Chamber staff and board, I’d like to thank city personnel, Police Chief Lewis and our new City Manager Nancy Newton in particular, for being accessible, present, and in consistent communication with the business community.

Our business community and the families they support have shown great resolve over the last six months. That said, we know that we have yet to see the end, nor can we fully comprehend what lies ahead. As we move into the fall and winter seasons even the smallest of challenges will call for our undivided attention. We have no time to spare in focusing our efforts on recovery so that our businesses, families, schools, and critical public services might withstand the hardships ahead.

The Chamber community of employers – our local private, non-profit, education, and government agencies – can find great opportunity amidst extreme hardship. We are doing just that. But we rely on elected bodies to clearly articulate substantiated priorities and optimism from which we can glean confidence and morale.

In May, Springfield voters sent a strong signal of support for the direction cast by the Mayor and City Council; one that prioritizes support for small business and economic development, safe neighborhoods and streets, housing, and education and workforce development to meet the evolving needs of our local employers. The issues arising from the pandemic and social unrest serve to underscore the importance of each of these.

The City Council’s economic development priority to realize an indoor track, sports, and events center in Springfield is one that contributes to that direction. This project in particular has inspired a collaborative effort like none other currently underway in Springfield, and one the Chamber enthusiastically champions alongside our public and private partners. We see the project serving a diverse, underrepresented demographic of our community, adding to quality of life and place, and contributing additive economic development benefits to support further revitalization of Springfield. There is no better time than now to reinforce your support for this project.

Your Chamber is a champion for Springfield, a convener of individuals as diverse, experienced, and committed to positive outcomes as you. Please accept our open invitation to hear from us, speak with us, and be inspired by the resourcefulness of your Springfield Chamber community.

Respectfully,