Chamber and downtown leaders report business growth, incubator jobs and new downtown openings

Doug Hunt, director of entrepreneurship for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, told the City Council on Sept. 15 that the Joplin area’s population stood at about 53,095 and that the labor‑force participation rate was roughly 61 percent, with unemployment at 4.6 percent and an average salary near $60,000. ‘‘You’ll see from the numbers… it’s a great return on the investment,’’ Hunt said, pointing to sharp increases in website sessions and social media engagement that he said help attract site selectors.

Hunt highlighted the Joseph Newman Innovation Center, the chamber’s incubator, saying the center and related programs have led to more than 70 full‑time jobs over the past five years and noted a $54,000 facilities grant from the Missouri Technology Corporation that will be applied over the next two years to keep rates low for startups. He also said the chamber’s board asked him to present this quarter and that he is leaving the chamber position; he plans to mark the center’s 20th anniversary in September 2026.

Amy Kaufman, identified by Hunt as the executive director heading the MOCAN partnership, said the region has generated state leads and organic business inquiries. She announced an Acculevel location in Jasper County that she said will hire ‘‘40 to 50 people’’ with an average salary of about $105,000, and described ongoing retention and attraction efforts, workforce development summits and partnerships with Missouri Southern and other local institutions.

Lori Hahn of the Downtown Joplin Alliance updated council on downtown property activity and new businesses. Hahn said two condos in the Craft Building are sold, the Mastergraf Building on Main Street is occupied, and the Messenger Tower project recently received a $5,000,000 permit for improvements. She outlined a fall restaurant‑week promotion running 11 days with 18 participating locations, 3rd Thursday events, volunteer clean‑team activities, and other promotions meant to boost downtown foot traffic.

Taken together, the reports framed economic momentum in Joplin as a combination of regional business recruitment, incubator‑driven entrepreneurship and local retail and events activity. The council asked follow‑up questions about utility capacity for large projects and the status of an Entrepreneurs Academy fund; Hunt and Kaufman told the council the chamber is working with utilities and the board will determine Academy timing.

The council received the reports and moved on to the rest of the agenda.