The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Business

Discussion

February 26, 2013

City council looks to fill acres with assistance from JRPI

By Ryan Richardson rrichardson@joplinglobe.com

WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City officials received a refresher course on economic development Monday from members of the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative, renewing ties between the city and the economic group at Monday’s city council meeting.

Mark Turnball, Director of Regional Strategy with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, said that the JRPI’s mission of uniting regional cities for economic growth is reflected in the potential in Webb City.

“We aim to make the area a place to learn and grow; to thrive,” Turnball said during Monday’s meeting. “We’ve got 350,000 people in the area to provide for and to keep in the region. We have to present a united front to attract new industry here and to keep our best and brightest working in the region.”

The City owns over 300 acres that Mayor John Biggs wants to fill with the assistance of the JRPI.

“The group is great at pooling our region’s resources to make everyone involved better,” Biggs said. “I feel that they will be at the front of helping bring businesses to the 300 acres we have in town that are ready to fill. There is opportunity here that they see and it is a unique one that we believe will be filled.”

Text Only
Business