2016 Outlook

Welcome to The Outlook. Below, sixteen industry forecasts lead the way into 2016.

Economy: David Mitchell, Missouri State University Bureau of Economic Research

2016 Projection The U.S. gross domestic product will increase by 2.5 percent, and the Fed will raise the prime rate to at least 4 percent.

Diversity: Cheryl Clay, NAACP Springfield

2016 Projection “If Springfield does not reverse its climbing poverty trend, we will continue to see crime numbers increase and the way of life as we know it change.”

Transportation: Patrick McKenna, Missouri Department of Transportation

2016 Projection Annual revenue will be flat from a better-than-expected 2015 and enough to match federal funding for a 4-1 return on investment.

Construction: Ron Barrett, Build LLC

2016 Projection Materials prices will remain flat and the region will continue its struggle to secure specialty tradesmen.

Politics: Brian Calfano, Missouri State University Poll Research Center

2016 Prediction Hillary Clinton will win the presidential race, barring a campaign collapse under the weight of mounting investigations and allegations.

Entertainment: Geoff Steele, Gillioz Theatre

2016 Projection “Springfield is poised to see a shift in national perception of this market.”

Banking: Mick Nitsch, The Bank of Missouri

2016 Projection More consolidation and slow, steady growth of the industry.

Branson: Leah Chandler, Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

2016 Projection Branson tourism will increase by 1.5 percent to set a new record.

Entrepreneurism: Jeremy Adams, Originate

2016 Projection Co-working spaces will continue to transform and enrich the entrepreneurial community.

Real Estate: Jeff Parker, Murney Associates, Realtors

2016 Projection With interest rates and construction costs edging up, home sales and prices should increase 5-10 percent.

Workforce Development: Mary Ann Rojas, City of Springfield Department of Workforce Development

2016 Projection A robust job market and, thanks to strategic partnerships, renewed interest in lagging industries.

Technology: Jason Klein, Logic Forte and the Association of Information Technology Professionals

2016 Projection Developers will build on cloud infrastructure to increase mobile connectivity, and 3-D printing will go mainstream.

Health Insurance: Matt Aug, Cox HealthPlans

2016 Projection Commercial insurance carriers will follow Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in adopting new payment models aimed at reducing costs by incentivizing coordination of patient care.

Nonprofit: Dan Prater, The Center for Nonprofit Leadership at Drury University

2016 Projection Several nonprofit leaders will resign with retirements on the horizon.

Manufacturing: Kim Inman, Missouri Association of Manufacturers

2016 Projection Emerging technology changes will dramatically affect the industry as manufacturers come together in a new way.

Education: C. Pat Taylor, Southwest Baptist University

2016 Projection “I think the biggest challenge all of us will face in the next year will be maintaining enrollment growth.”