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Forbes Names Best Artisan Communities; Highlights Springfield, Missouri

  • June 15, 2021

Springfield, Missouri, has been named among the best artisan communities in the U.S. by Forbes. The Missouri city is one of several that Forbes highlighted for individuals looking to travel or relocate to, in order to enjoy a “creative, post-pandemic lifestyle.”

Missouri has a rich and diverse cultural and artistic history. In fact, a 2015 study showed that the arts have a more than $1 billion economic impact on the state and generate more 30,000 jobs a year.

The Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) provides outreach and support for 27 counties – the largest outreach of its kind in the state of Missouri. In FY2019, the SRAC helped artists sell more than $30,000 in artwork while also raising close to $20,000 for arts education.

Seeking cultural equity, the SRAC has been following a 20-year master plan originally implemented in 1997 to help guide the organization to build on Springfield’s cultural assets and legacy to strengthen overall community and economic development.

The Missouri city is no stranger to attention either. Niche recently ranked Springfield among the best cities in the U.S. for young professionals, and M25, an early-stage venture firm based in Chicago, ranked Springfield among the best cities in the Midwest for startups.

Companies looking to invest are also drawn to Springfield’s outstanding business environment and cultural amenities. Recent companies to invest in Springfield include Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Co., Paddio, John Deere Reman, Wire Road Brewing Company, Envoy Air Inc., CrossBreed Holsters and many more.

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