FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Springfield, Mo. ranks 53rd among the nation's "best-performing" cities according to the Milken Institute's annual Best-Performing Cities index for 2016.
Every year, the economic non-profit think tank takes an in-depth look at the economic factors shaping our cities and towns, in an effort to find out what makes some areas more successful than others.
The institute uses a fact-based, comprehensive evaluation system across metropolitan areas that relies upon job, wage, and technology trends shaping current and prospective pathways.
“I believe our integrated approach to building a cohesive plan to develop the workforce has had an impact in our community,” said Mary Ann Rojas, Springfield’s Workforce Development Director. “The Missouri Job Center’s one-stop shop model allows job seekers to connect more easily with employers and we are doing a better job to prepare workers through training investment, apprenticeships and other activities.”
Employers are in turn, posting more jobs through the center and participating in initiatives that help foster job growth and pathways, Rojas said.
"Springfield is in a great position for continued growth, and this news is the latest confirmation that our community is a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and play,” said Matt Morrow, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce president. “But it doesn't 'just happen.' As a community, we work hard and play together. At our best, we collaborate, and we are careful to make decisions that will position us well for continued success."
The latest ranking indicates that cities that excel in innovation drive the nation's economic growth. With an ecosystem for entrepreneurship, San Jose, CA, claimed the top spot again.
"America's best-performing cities yet again demonstrated their innovation advantage aligned with high levels of entrepreneurship," says Ross DeVol, chief research officer of the Milken Institute and one of the report's authors. "That is witnessed not just in 'traditional' technology but in medical and financial services."
The Best-Performing Cities index, compiled since 1999, uses a comprehensive, fact-based set of criteria to rank 200 large and 201 small metros across the United States. As an outcomes-based index, growth in employment, wages and technology output are heavily weighted; metrics such as cost-of-living and quality-of-life conditions, often highly subjective, are not included.
Data for all metros is available on the interactive Best-Performing Cities Web site. Join the Twitter conversation at #bpcfor2016.
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For more information, contact Megan Short, Communications Coordinator, at 417-841-3386, or [email protected]