Community Focus 2015
A REPORT FOR SPRINGFIELD & GREENE COUNTY

2015 Springfield Community Focus Report

BLUE RIBBON & RED FLAG THEMES

The goal of the Community Focus Report is to identify the overall conditions that deserve recognition and attention in Springfield and Greene County. During the development of this report, several issues repeatedly emerged representing consistent strengths (blue ribbons) and challenges (red flags) facing our community.

As you read this year's report, you will see recurring themes within the 11 sections. Overall, the following topics emerged as the blue ribbon and red flag themes in the 2015 Community Focus Report.

BLUE RIBBONS

Collaborative Culture

  • A community expectation that people and organizations collaborate
  • Sense of shared responsibility for addressing community needs, including public/private partnerships
  • Encouraging better stewardship of limited resources through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts

Awareness of Shifting Civic and Cultural Realities

  • Growing recognition of the benefits and challenges of our increasingly urban environment
  • Increasing awareness of our changing demographics
  • Recognition of the cost of chronic community issues

Community Revitalization

  • Resurgence of public and private development
  • Emergent and creative industries enhance community vibrancy
  • Entrepreneurial culture helps foster job creation, talent attraction and retention.

RED FLAGS

Poverty

  • Unable to sustainably impact chronic poverty issues
  • Failure to address the instability of households impacted by poverty
  • Economic stratification tends to result in lack of civic participation and trust
  • Addressing immediate needs limits resources for longer-term impact

Insufficient Funding

  • Lack of sustainable funding for prevention and maintenance efforts as it pertains to community health, housing, transportation, natural environment, recreation, and public order and safety
  • Unpredictable state support for community programs and infrastructure
  • Uncertain whether the community is willing and/or able to help pay for needed public improvements
  • Inability to acquire or match state and federal dollars

Looming Threats of Civic Infrastructure

  • Growth in urban environment challenges multiple sectors
  • Expected increase in costs for air quality, wastewater, transportation, stormwater, and public safety