Investing In Our Own: How EXPAND 2029 Strengthens Springfield’s Business Core

In Springfield, Ohio, the businesses that have planted roots here are the same ones powering our future. That’s why the EXPAND 2029 capital campaign initiative of building a vibrant community is focused on reinforcing the foundation we already have.

This initiative is a quality-of-life project and a business strategy. It connects the dots between workforce stability, place-based investment, and long-term growth. Here’s how it’s designed to directly support the employers who call this region home.

1. Housing That Sustains the Workforce You Depend On

Access to affordable, accessible workforce housing is an economic imperative for sustained economic growth. When employees can live near where they work, it reduces turnover, boosts morale, and strengthens company culture.

Through strategic partnerships, EXPAND 2029 is prioritizing:

• New and in-fill housing development to support workforce expansion.
• Annual reporting on housing progress to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Collaboration with local builders and planners to align housing with employer needs.

Without adequate housing options, even the best recruitment strategies fall flat. Housing stability means business stability.

2. A “Welcome to Springfield” Program That Supports Relocations

Bringing in leadership talent often involves relocating entire families. The “Welcome to Springfield” program, launching soon, ensures a soft landing for new hires and their families.

By partnering with local realtors and community stakeholders, this program will:

• Provide personalized relocation support.
• Introduce new residents to local networks and services.
• Ease transitions so executives and their families feel invested from day one.

When leaders feel welcomed, they stay. And they bring their best to the companies they serve.

3. Downtown Revitalization That Enhances Business Perception

A thriving downtown attracts new visitors and provides current residents with new opportunities. It also helps support businesses with increased foot traffic and discretionary spending. Employers benefit when their city projects a vibrant image to prospective clients, partners, and job candidates.

The plan includes:

• Infrastructure improvements and housing in the urban core.
• Expanded entertainment, dining, and wellness offerings.
• Events and placemaking strategies that attract foot traffic and increase visibility for downtown-based businesses.

When Springfield looks like a place people want to be, it becomes a place where businesses grow and succeed.

4. Employer Engagement That Drives Employee Retention

Each year, EXPAND 2029 will host two exclusive employer engagement events, with the goal of better connecting businesses with community initiatives and elevating what’s available outside the office.

These events will:

• Help employees and their families feel more connected to Springfield.
• Showcase amenities, schools, housing options, and recreational opportunities.
• Strengthen employer branding through community alignment.

Employee satisfaction is increasingly tied to community experience. These events help bridge the gap between workplace and hometown.

A Local Growth Strategy with Real ROI

EXPAND 2029’s third initiative directly invests in the quality-of-life infrastructure businesses need to grow and retain talent. With $525,000 allocated over five years, this strategy positions Greater Springfield to compete and lead.