City of Springfield to consolidate Economic Vitality, Workforce Development departments

Springfield City Council is scheduled to hear a proposal at its June 10 meeting to combine its Economic Vitality and Workforce Development departments into a single new department.  

According to a news release from the city, combining the two departments will streamline operations and enhance services available to regional job seekers and employers through operating grants reaching 58 counties.   

Amanda Ohlensehlen, current director of Economic Vitality, is in line to head the combined department. 

The proposal going before council would integrate the two departments to strengthen business relations, with the goal of attracting new investments and talent to Springfield, according to the release.  

Currently, the city's Economic Vitality and Workforce Development departments operate independently with distinct objectives. However, recognizing the connection between workforce dynamics and economic prosperity, the combining of the departments allows for a comprehensive strategy that aligns labor market needs with economic development goals, the release states.  

The Economic Vitality and Workforce Development departments have an integrated relationship and share the goal of improving the job market in the city of Springfield and the surrounding areas, the release states. Combining the departments will reduce duplicative efforts, leading to more efficient resource allocation and resulting in cost savings.   

Ohlensehlen said the consolidation would help the city offer a higher level of service, increase staff capacity and integrate with partner agencies and organizations to overcome challenges.. As proposed, there would be no impact to the general fund, and it is anticipated that general fund savings will result over time. All current staff positions would be retained in the consolidation.  

The Department of Economic Vitality was established in 2021 to encourage reinvestment and economic growth while coordinating development projects that impact the community’s tax base, the release states. Creating and retaining jobs is a major emphasis, the release states.  

“The combination of Economic Vitality and Workforce Development initiatives will ensure that the city is meeting goals outlined in the city’s comprehensive plan, Forward SGF, as well as interdependent council priorities to improve the quality of life for all citizens by creating a vibrant business community with well-paying jobs and a growing tax base to support government functions and access to critical supportive services,” Ohlensehlen said in the release.  

City Manager Jason Gage said the strategic alignment would provide a wider range of services and help the city more efficiently market its assets to targeted audiences. It also would help the city recruit talent to the community, provide a skilled and diverse workforce, support industries, promote sustainable growth and forge stronger partnerships to leverage investment that contributes to the overall vitality of the region, officials say. 

“This consolidation of services will not only make us more efficient but will allow us to better serve our residents,” he said in the release.  

The combined Economic Vitality and Workforce Development department would have three divisions: Community and Economic Development, Grant Management and Workforce Development. The city has not previously had a grant management division.  

The city plans to acquire and renovate a building to allow for relocation for Workforce Development services to an area near the City Government Plaza, the release states.  

The Department of Economic Vitality was established in March 2022 with Ohlensehlen at the helm. According to past Springfield Business Journal reporting, it was formed to separate the city’s economic development function from the Planning & Development Department. 

The department was the brainchild of Deputy City Manager Maurice Jones, whose background is in economic development. Jones said at the time that the economic vitality function was to be given a higher profile through the department and would be aggressive in connecting opportunities with resources.