CHRISTIAN COUNTY WILL BECOME A DESTINATION

FOR HIGH QUALITY TALENT AND INNOVATIVE

EMPLOYERS
IN THE SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL MARKET PLACE

CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Christian County has been one of the most rapidly growing
counties in Missouri for over three (3) decades:

444% increase between 1969 and 2014 from 15,081 to 82,101.

There are now 66,744 new residents;
During the same period Nixas population increased by an
astounding 1,157% from 1,635 in 1970 to 20,570 in 2014;
During the same time period Ozarks population increased
692% from 2,384 in 1970 to 18,871 in 2014 (16,487 new
residents).
The continuous and persistent growth over this period ranks
Ozark & Nixa as two of the fastest growing cities in the State;

Christian County was one of the most resilient economies in the wake of the
Great Recession.
The total number of jobs dipped slightly from a prerecession peak of 30,095 in 2006 to
28,439 (-5%) in 2010, but it recovered to 31,508 by 2014
The current unemployment rate of 4.2% is a full percentage point below the State and
fourth lowest in Missouri
Dominant employment sectors reflect bedroom community characteristics, with
retail (13%), government/schools (10%), construction (9%), services (8%), and finance
(8%), which comprises 50% of all jobs.

Pretty Impressive
Numbers:
Income:
Christian
Springfield
Missouri
Median HH Income
$53,346
$43,322
$48,156
Avg. HH Income
$66,553
$57,232
$64,389
Avg. HH Wealth
$227,377
$217,910
$223,926
Median HH Wealth
$74,048
$65,749
$70,406

Christian Countys growth was initially fueled by a persistent stream of migration from
neighboring counties dominated by Greene (45%) of all migration, but the County also has
relatively high birth rate (15th) in the state and a low death rate of 107 th in the state, which has
contributed to a high rate of natural increase 9,970 since 1990.
Over 50% of these migrants are young, educated and employed and they fall into a
psychographic profile termed Urban Cliff Climbersresidents that represent the definitive
working class, and are young and in pursuit of their individual dreams.

While all of this impressive, Christian Countys employees are highly dependent
on commuting to work in Greene County: 44% of all personal income and 53% of all
jobs.(University of MO Extension: Sharon Gulick)
In 2013, TIP Strategies estimated that 80% of Christian Countys workforce
commutes outside of the county each day. This commuting pattern not only poses
challenges for the areas transportation networks, it also poses challenges for local
commerce that depend on the areas day-time population. Tip Strategies 2013

Runaway taxes: Christian County losing out on sales

revenue News-Leader September 3, 2015

Ask the top official of Christian County if it has a budget problem, and hell tell you, stand
by a major road any morning and count the cars driving north. Those cars in the stop-andgo traffic to Springfield represent money leaving Christian County and being spent
elsewhere. County leaders agree its a problem, but little is being done countywide to
address it.
Christian County is one of Missouris larger counties by population, but driving

NEW Economic
Development
Successful
places today

Are rich in ideas and talent

Attract educated people
Provide physical and cultural amenities
Have organizations and individuals with the ability to
learn and adapt
Embrace bold partnerships among business, government
and nonprofit sectors

Economic development today:

focuses much more on creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and
range of worker talent.
Available land, low taxes and incentives are still factors, but not
the primary factors as in the past.
There is a strong focus on the region, rather than a single
community.
To be successful, these regions must have the ability to learn
and adapt to the changing global economy.
Most importantly, economic development today is successful
only when a partnership between the business, government
and nonprofit sectors exists. By working together, they can
create a community/region that is attractive to new residents
(workers) and businesses, while continuing to provide for the

Christian County needs to stop the leakage of jobs and retail commercial
opportunities and develop a blueprint for a more balanced growth to
increase Christian Countys self-sufficiency within the region.
Our objective is to formulate an on-going, collaborative effort aimed to
create more employment opportunities for our residents by supporting
existing employers and attracting new employers to the region. It is the
intent of such an effort to deliberately shape the countys economic
future in each of our cities and region.
This balanced approach to growth is necessary to secure a positive
outlook for Christian County.

Recommendation:
FORMATION OF A CHRISTIAN COUNTY BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
:
Formed in accordance
with the 501(c)(3)
Internal Revenue Service

There
are
actually
organizational models

three

types

of

ED

1.Government Agency Model

Funded with public money
Reports to elected officials
Gives
business
community
access
to
government policy makers
Can provide for infrastructure development,
and
Subject to the Sunshine Laws of Missouri

2.Private Sector Model

Funded with private money
Not restricted by political boundaries
Allows for greater level of confidentiality
Direction is set by its members, and
Politics are minimized

3.Public/Private Model
Funded with both public and private money
Establishes public private partnership
Facilitates infrastructure improvements, and
Can have stand alone governing board or
affiliate with public or private sector group.

There are currently three (3) Business Development

Corporations in our immediate area, and a fourth BDC located
in in the southwest corner of the state. Each is setup as
Public/Private sector model.
These corporations are organized exclusively for
charitable purposes as described in Section 501(c) (3) of
the Internal Revenue Code:
Springfield Business Development Corporation
Taney County Partnership
Republic Industrial Business Development Corporation
Joplin Business Development Corporation

We are here to recommend creating a Private/Public sector

model for Christian County with the sole purpose of advancing
Christian Countys Economic Development.
As noted, these business development corporations are
organized exclusively for charitable purposes as
described in Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue
Code, meaning that private sector investments are tax
deductible
Charitable donations are the last thing we are asking
for; we are asking for you to consider INVESTING in
Christian Countys economic future

ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION:

Springfields (2/14/83): are specifically to support and assist in the

development of jobs, and thereby to enhance the economic welfare of the
inhabitantsfoster greater employment opportunities...improving the
standard of living of the inhabitantsto aid in the development of jobs.. for
those seeking gainful employment, but are unable to do so by virtue of lack
of employmentto reduce the burdens of taxpayers in providing subsistence
paymentto an organization exempt under Section 501(c)(3)to be used
exclusively for assembling and dissemination of a community profile,
analysis of any community tension, discrimination, physical deterioration,
and economic development effortsto conduct studies and propose
improvements with regard to the quality, utilization and effectiveness of
economic developmentto encourage industrial and business expansion by
encouraging business and industrial enterprises to locate in the City of
Springfield.

Taney County Partnership (Adopted 2013): Vision Statement the shared regional vision for
the economic development of Taney County is to be the center for diversified economic growth
and cooperative business support clusters in Southwest Missouri. The Taney County Partnership
will lead initiatives to create a proactive business climate in the County. The Taney County
Partnerships efforts for enhancing and leveraging Taney Countys unique assets, valued programs
and resources for the success of business sector are apparent in unifying and championing efforts
for planning, leadership and policy for economic development, infrastructure and transportation,
business attraction and retention, entrepreneurial development, and workforce development. By
building collaborative initiatives, the Partnership will support community development projects,
and tourism development while maintaining the area unique quality of place brands.

Republic Business and Industrial Development Association (Adopted 2008)

The Republic Business Industrial Development Association (RBDIA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization and is the economic development subsidiary/extension of the City of Republic.
The Association provides additional revenues for the City economic development efforts.
The RBDIA consists of a variety of local and regional leaders that work together and
cooperate in order to generate economic progress in the City of Republic. The team is led
by the Citys Economic Development Director who works in close contact with the City and
various public service providers, local and regional economic developer organizations, site
selection professionals, marketing consultants and state economic development
departments.

Republic: Measuring success in

job creation
An increase in sales tax revenues is one noticeable benefit of the creation of 1,000 new
jobs in Republic, and the Republic Industrial Development Association could lure more
development with an invitation-only open house next month.
City Administrator Jim Krischke said, not only have people been put to work in good, quality jobs,

Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation (10/21/85)

This Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes as described in Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1954specifically to support and assist in the
development of jobsto enhance the economic welfare of the inhabitantsby fostering
greater employment opportunitiesthereby the standard of living of the inhabitantsto
reduce the burdens of the taxpayers in providing subsistence payments to those unable to
obtain gainful employmentexclusively for assembling and dissemination of a community
profile, analysis of any community tension, discrimination, physical deterioration, and
economic effortsto conduct studies and propose improvements with regard to the quality,
utilization and effectiveness of economic developmentencourage economic development
and industrial expansionencourage employment opportunities

CHRISTIAN COUNTY
WILL BECOME A DESTINATION
FOR HIGH QUALITY TALENT AND
INNOVATIVE EMPLOYERS
IN THE SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL
MARKET PLACE

The following characteristics can help Christian County reach the

status of a destination: The Christian County Business
Development Corporation would be charged with meeting these
types of goals:
Hiring of a professional economic development director
Provide valuable assistance to existing employers and
prospects
Have world-class workforce resources, including the highest
quality schools
Have outstanding shovel-ready sites
Have an appealing quality of place for a good value
Have a welcoming business climate
Have forward looking zoning and infrastructure planning to

Having a formally funded economic development

staff
dedicated
solely
to
the
economic
development of Christian County would provide
structure for the realization of Christian Countys
economic development goals:
Ensure that Christian County communities have the
resources needed to support business expansion,
formation and attraction
Provide
a
regulatory
environment
and
the
infrastructure to support the creation of employment
centers across the county
Build a strong sense of identity in Christian County as

It takes about 7 years to a get a Ph.D. in economics

from a leading school. But you can capture the
seven years of schooling in one sentence:
IF THE OTHER GUYS GETTING BETTER, THEN
YOUD BETTER GET BETTER FASTER THAN THAT
OTHER GUYS GETTING BETTEROR YOURE
GETTING WORSE. Tom Peters

If you want to keep getting

what your getting, keep doing
what youre doing.

Those of us who have put this together

for your consideration are of the belief
that we Christian County can do
better...
We hope you agree.

Christian County
Business Development
Corporation 2016
Draft Budget

Economic Development Director (Wage and Benefit) analysis

City/County

Population

Entry Wage

Max. Wage

West Plains
11,986
$50,000
$75,000
St. Charles
65,794
$75,000
$91,000
Smithville
8,425
$46,800
$68,323
Rolla
19,559
$70,000
$85,000
Raymore
19,206
$57,754
$86,632
Odessa
5,300
$44,829
$54,218
N. Kansas City
4,208
$55,661
$83,492
Lake St. Louis
14,545
$78,148
$117,222
Independence
116,830
$59,547
$104,547
Columbia
108,500
$76,003
$160,705
Branson
10,520
$68,660
$102,990
Average
$62,036
$93,603
W/Benefits (@30% est.)
$18,610
$28,080
Annual Wage/Benefit

$80,646

$121,683

Expenses (cont.)
Office: It is proposed that either Christian, Ozark, Nixa or another--yet
decided, neutral site provide office space and administrative assistance to
the ED Director
Supplies
$500
Postage and Shipping
$1,200
Telephone
$800 (Cell and LD)
Professional Expenses
Business Retention
$8,000
Business Entrepreneurial
$8,000
Business Marketing & Attraction $25,000
Project management
$5,000
Education & Certification(s)
IEDC
$3,500
Governors ED Conference
$1,200
MEDC membership & conference(s) $3,000
SREP
$5,000
Wage & Benefit (prev. page)
$80,646

Total annual expense:

$141,846

Public Sector Investment

Christian County
$25,000
City of Ozark
$25,000
City of Nixa
$25,000
Total
$75,000
Remaining amount: $66,846/private sector investment
**(Not included in the proposed first years budget is a $95,000
estimated expenditure for a professionally prepared county-wide market
analysis and brand creation. Currently the 2016 budget has a $25,000 line
item earmarked for marketing. Subtracting this amount from the
estimated $95,000 cost leaves a $70,000 outstanding expense not yet
covered with available revenues.

Investor(s) Levels:
Legacy $25,000
Pinnacle
$20,000
Cornerstone $15,000
Anchor $10,000
Sustaining $ 5,000
Stakeholder$ 2,500
Each investment is an annual five (5) year
commitment, with another capital funding
campaign in the fifth year to afford subsequent
year(s).

Please join us as a partner in

Christian Countys
economic development
future