Much has been written about Joplin’s recovery since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Don’t expect that to end anytime soon.
On Friday, during the 2012 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development at the Governor’s Awards luncheon held in St. Louis, work done post-tornado to keep business doors open was recognized. Joplin was lauded for its efforts in work-force recovery, while Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce President Rob O’Brian was selected as the 2012 Governor’s Career Service in Economic Development Award winner. The first was directly related to the tornado, while O’Brian’s was based on his career contributions to economic development.
The work of both has made a key difference in the way Joplin area businesses have recovered since the tornado.
Almost 560 employers had their businesses demolished or substantially damaged; an additional 400-plus were affected by the loss of utilities, loss of customers or injured employees. More than 5,000 job positions were affected.
Four days after the tornado hit, a business recovery center had been opened at the Joplin chamber office and a website was rebuilt to focus on disaster resources for businesses.
O’Brian spoke during the awards luncheon on Friday, making a presentation of recommendations based on the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce experience.
“Be prepared to be busier than you ever dreamed possible,” he told the group of state economic leaders.
Those words are still as true today for Joplin as they were almost 16 months ago.
Joplin should rejoice that 86 percent of the businesses destroyed or significantly damaged are open today and that 95 percent of the affected job positions are in place — many of them held even though the business doors had to be temporarily closed.
There are now more than two dozen new employers in the city.
But in order to keep putting one foot in front of the other, land acquisitions for projects outlined by the city’s master developer, Wallace Bajjali, need to become an immediate priority for the expansion of Joplin’s business community. The city is awaiting $8 million in federal Community Development Block Grant money for the project.
Our congratulations to those who have led the way in Joplin’s business recovery. It’s a job that’s only just begun.
Opinion
Related Photos
-
inourview.jpg
Discussion
Our View: Economic health at home
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Connecting the town
Well before the 2011 tornado, Joplin had a problem with “connectivity.” That’s right. The flow of traffic — whether it be cars, pedestrians or bicyclists — has been a sore spot with us for years.
-
Other Views: Debt of honor
In Afghanistan, the Taliban have promised to kill Afghans who worked for the Americans and their families. In Iraq, similar threats were made by radical Islamic insurgents.
-
Your View: Bold leadership needed
Dear City Council Members, Let me first thank you for your service to our community.
-
Carol Stark: Dad took us on ‘travels’ that lasted a lifetime
This isn’t the column I had planned on writing, but it’s the one that keeps running through my mind. And so does this question: How do I cope on my first Father’s Day without my dad?
-
Herb Van Fleet, guest columnist: Big Brother is always watching and listening
Sen. Church made that statement 38 years ago. He chaired a committee that was formed to develop legislation to rein in the CIA, FBI, NSA and other intelligence agencies, which had been operating outside the bounds of the law, including the Constitution.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Jury still out on whistle-blower’s actions
Whether you see Edward Snowden as a hero, a traitor or something in between, there is no denying that the admitted “leaker” has opened up an industrial-size can of National Security Agency worms.
-
Trish Patton, guest columnist: Downtown group needs stakeholders' support
On Tuesday the Downtown Joplin Alliance (DJA) tabled the Community Improvement District (CID) initiative.
-
Our View: Earning a new badge
The Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland made a good decision Friday when it voted to give the community until November to develop a long-term plan to keep Camp Mintahama open.
-
Other Views: Stop farm bill gridlock
With a hopeful sound of gridlock cracking, U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Wednesday that he will vote for the House farm bill even though he has “concerns.” He reasons that “doing nothing means we get no changes in the nutrition programs.”
-
Marta Mossburg, columnist: Liberalism worldview doesn't make sense
The high priests of liberalism must be tossing and turning in their organic cotton bedding and downing more small-batch artisan whisky each night trying to cope with the abject failure of their cause
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
