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Chamber, MOCAN and Downtown Alliance report growth, new businesses and grants
Summary
The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Joplin Alliance presented quarterly updates: Chamber director Doug Hunt and MOCAN’s Amy Kaufman highlighted population and labor metrics, new business leads and a $54,000 MTC facilities grant; Downtown Alliance director Lori Hahn reported new downtown openings, a $5 million Messenger Tower permit, and expanded events and market activity.
City council heard two substantive economic development presentations on Sept. 15.
Doug Hunt, director of entrepreneurship for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, delivered the chamber’s quarterly update and said he was leaving the chamber. Hunt cited a city population figure of about 53,095 (2024), a labor force participation rate of 61% and a 4.6% unemployment rate. He said website sessions and social media engagement had more than doubled year‑over‑year and highlighted partnership activity that supports business attraction and retention. Hunt said the Missouri Technology Corporation approved a facilities grant for the Joseph Newman Innovation Center, totaling $54,000 over two years to support furniture and remodeling—money that aims to keep incubator rates below market for startups.
Amy Kaufman (introduced by Hunt as Executive Director of the MOCAN partnership) highlighted recent business leads and workforce recruitment activity. Kaufman announced a regional win — a company she identified as Acculehi settling in Jasper County and expected to hire 40–50 employees with an average salary she cited as $105,000 — and said a private landowner is exploring a data center opportunity (details not specified). Kaufman also described startup consultations averaging about 18 per week, new tenants at the Joseph Newman Innovation Center, and upcoming events and summits meant to promote workforce development.
Lori Hahn, Downtown Joplin Alliance executive, gave a report on downtown investment and events: the Croft Building nearing completion, the Master Graph building occupied, the US Bank building recently sold at auction, Messenger Tower improvements permitted for $5 million covering more than 100 units, new retail and food openings on the 900 Block, a fall 11‑day restaurant week with 18 participants and increased market attendance (daily averages up by hundreds). She described volunteer clean‑team activity and stated the alliance’s strategic planning will wrap up in October.
Council members asked questions about utility capacity for prospective employers, the status of the Entrepreneurs Academy (on hold pending the chamber board), and downtown event coordination; staff and presenters responded with specifics about utility coordination with Liberty, board discussions about the Entrepreneurs Academy, and invitations to upcoming events.
Next steps: Chamber and downtown leaders asked council to continue support for economic development partnerships and invited council and residents to upcoming events including a workforce summit and the Newman Innovation Center anniversary celebration.
