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Community Focus Report identifies business hurdles

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The 2021 Community Focus Report for Springfield and Greene County identified issues area businesses are facing in the current economy.

The Community Focus Report release kicked off today with a white paper on business and economic development, according to a news release. The full series of 11 white papers will be released in the coming weeks ahead of the Oct. 21 debut of the full report, which highlights strengths, or "blue ribbons," and challenges, or "red flags," in the area.

In the business and economic development white paper, the Community Focus Report pointed to the red flags of a shortage of skilled workers, changing wages and a lack of sustained population growth.

The report noted the Missouri Job Center's 2021 State of the Workforce Survey that found 68% of local organizations had difficulty hiring qualified applicants in the past 12 months.

"Somewhat paradoxically, the labor shortage helps to address a continuing red flag in our region: the continued need to address wages," officials said in the report.

Between 2016 and 2019, Greene County's average wages increased by 10.2%, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, the 2019 median household income of $46,086 in Greene County was below other major metro areas in the state.

To better compete, the area must attract additional workers, the report found. Over the last decade, Greene County's population has grown at or below 1% per year, according to the Census Bureau.

Blue ribbons for the local economy are economic strength and consistent growth, an environment that's friendly to entrepreneurs and startups, and a strong education system, according to the report.

The Community Focus Report represents a partnership between Community Foundation of the Ozarks Inc., Junior League of Springfield, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield-Greene County Library District and United Way of the Ozarks, according to the release.

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