First report is published covering nine areas. Key trends identified:

• Encouraging center city redevelopment.
• Too many children in poverty.
• Funding for public schools below state average.
• Needs of many at-risk children not being met.

A follow-up report is published, adding sections for early childhood and community health. Key trends identified:

• The community responds to the first report with collaborative efforts.
• Local economic boom helps drive state economy.
• Too many children still suffering effects of poverty.
• Methamphetamine traffic touches all facets of life.
• Funding for public education shifts to local responsibility.

Two-year drought begins.

Greene County voters approve sales tax to support parks and stormwater improvements.

Kindergarten Readiness Study finds 24% of kindergarteners not ready to learn.

Dr. Norman Myers retires as the founding president of Ozarks Technical Community College, passing the reins to Dr. Hal Higdon.

Tom Finnie retires after 16 years as Springfield's city manager.

Gillioz Theatre restored and reopened.

The report begins publishing biannually. Key trends identified:

• Children in poverty remains a focus, as the Grantmakers' Challenge for Children begins raising millions for preventive solutions.
• Health-care access sees some success with the Jordan Valley Community Health Center.
• Collaboration among public and private entities remains strong.
• The number of child abuse and neglect cases in Greene County is well above the state average.
• Financial backing for essential services does not match need.

Isabel's House Crisis Nursery is opened.

The Red Wagon Kids Community Plan is created.

Springfield Regional Crime Lab opens in downtown Springfield.

Greg Burris selected as Springfield city manager.

The 2009 edition looked at emerging issues rather than Blue Ribbons and Red Flags.

• The number of residents without health insurance continues to rise.
• Child abuse and neglect rates in Greene County remain high.
• The Great Recession affects housing and hunger locally.
• Education budgets still a concern.

One Door established with Community Partnership of the Ozarks, providing a central point of entry for coordinated intake, assessment and referrals for housing and shelter services throughout our community.

Field Guide 2030, a comprehensive process to update the community strategic plan, begins and continues through 2012.

Kindergarten Readiness Study finds 20% of kindergarteners not ready.

Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center opens.

Key trends identified:

• Innovation emerges as a theme, with the IDEA Commons as a highlight.
• Social capital is integrated into community planning.
• Economic uncertainty from national level has trickled down locally more than in the past.
• Child abuse and neglect cases increase.
• Early Childhood section cites inability to convert public support to action as a Red Flag.

Springfield voters re-affirm 2011 Smokefree Air Act for workplaces and public areas.

Springfield retains the U.S. Postal Service processing facility, instead of consolidating it in Kansas City.

Severe drought weathered due to planning and implementation of resource allocations from Stockton Lake.

Key trends identified:

• Higher-education resources committed to improving public issues.
• Concerns arise that poverty may affect economic development.
• Community needs preventive efforts.
• Child abuse and neglect as well as youth in poverty remain issues.
• Funding losses for infrastructure and community needs since the Great Recession have not recovered.

City Council adds sexual orientation and gender identity to nondiscrimination ordinance.

Kindergarten Readiness Study finds 27.4% of kindergarteners not ready; Kindergarten Prep begins in Springfield elementary schools; establishment of Every Child Promise.

Dr. John Jungmann selected as SPS superintendent.

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy partnered with MSU to bring a pharmacy program to Springfield.

Dr. Robert Spence retires after 40 years at Evangel University; succeeded by Dr. Carol Taylor in 2013.

Jim Anderson retires from Springfield Chamber after 26 years; Matt Morrow named new president/CEO.

Key trends identified:

• Awareness grows of shifting civic responsibilities in an increasingly urban environment.
• Private and public development resurges as local economy rebounds.
• Community leaders recognize the difficulty of impacting chronic poverty issues sustainably.
• Funding is lacking not only for preventive public efforts, but also maintenance in other areas, including transportation, natural environment and public order and safety.

Kindergarten Readiness Study finds 24.7% of kindergarteners not ready; Early Childhood One Stop established.

Springfield Public Schools celebrates 150 years, expands Explore summer learning program to serve over 12,000 students.

Sculpture Walk Springfield launches, increasing public art downtown.

A Community Health Improvement Plan was developed and adopted by community partners through the Healthy Living Alliance.

First collaborative Community Health Needs Assessment published by CoxHealth, Mercy & Springfield- Greene County Health Department.

Dr. Tim Cloyd named president of Drury University.

A guide for valid sources of community information to confront online misinformation is included. Key trends identified:

• For the first time, the community began a comprehensive assessment of the state of mental health in the region.
• Poverty and sustainable funding for community persist as challenges.
• Concerns arise over civic engagement, especially with the drop in voter participation.
• Recreational, arts and entrepreneurial assets, including re-opened Wonders of Wildlife, contribute to quality of life.
• Unemployment remains low, but wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living.

Kindergarten Readiness Study finds 26% of kindergarteners not ready; Campbell Early Childhood Center begins serving 200 preschoolers; early childhood education services expand to over 700 4-year-olds.

The first residents move into Eden Village, a tiny-home development for chronically disabled homeless people.

Jason Gage takes over as Springfield city manager after the retirement of Greg Burris.