Originally written and published by Sarah Teague for KSMU on Feb. 6, 2018. Click here to be directed to the original posting. Featured photo is a file photo belonging to the Headliner News.
Though Nixa is growing residentially, Mayor Brian Steele said its business sector has the potential to stagnate. That’s why bringing in jobs is a big focus for the city in 2018.
Steele said Nixa is in a time of transition. New community leaders are beginning to fill empty roles, but the economy rests in the hands of employers.
“Nixa will continue having a difficult time creating a sustainable community long term until we are able to bring more place-of-work — jobs — to Nixa,” Steele said. “That is the city’s main focus for 2018.”
But Steele said his main goal for the new year is hiring individuals who will further Nixa’s development in many industries.
“My main goal for 2018 is to complete the process of hiring the next generation of leadership for Nixa,” Steele said. “I know these individuals … will continue the legacy of excellence that we have all come to expect in Nixa.”
This comes after new leadership in the city. The Christian County Business Development Corporation, known as Show Me Christian County, recently hired Andrea Sitzes as executive director of economic development, and the Nixa School District hired H. Gearl Loden as the superintendent, replacing Stephen Kleinsmith next school year.
The search continues for a new city administrator and Chamber of Commerce president/CEO.
Nixa Public Information Officer Drew Douglas said filling these positions will invite fresh perspectives to Nixa, furthering development outside of the residential sector. He said to continue to grow, Nixa needs to continue to hire visionary leaders aggressive about economic development like they have for so many years.
“There is a lot of fresh new blood and that’s the main story I think this year,” Douglas said. “(These) folks — as they come in and get adjusted to their new positions this year — (will) be able to forge new relationships (and) take the existing vision and strategic plans that our organizations have in place (to) shape (a shared vision).”
In 2016, 127 new homes were built, and 211 in 2017. Douglas expects this number will continue to rise. However, he said though the population may be suspected of increasing, Nixa still faces “over 70 percent” of its population leaving during the day to work in neighboring cities, and not in Nixa.
“Folks are unfortunately leaving during the day to work somewhere else, so what we want to do is draw quality employers to the area … so we can have more of those folks working jobs here,” Douglas said. “We want to be more self-sufficient and more balanced in the way our community is built.”
To do this, Douglas said not only will the city support the businesses that are already established to grow, but also bring more employers to Nixa, so residents can find substantial work close to home.
In addition to residential growth, Douglas said planning is underway for over 50 acres of donated parkland from brothers Stephen and DuWayne Eoff to the Nixa Parks and Recreation Department. The park will be named the Eoff Family Century Farm Park.
More Nixa infrastructure updates:
• Douglas said the Missouri Department of Transportation is preparing to widen Highway 14 to a five-lane road from U.S. 160 west to Nicholas Road. This is to begin in 2019, but Douglas said the city will begin prep work soon.
• The city is planning a new water tower, installed by 2019, to keep up with residential growth.
• MoDOT will improve two major intersections in 2018: West Tracker Road and U.S. 160, and Northview Road and U.S. 160.
• Northview Road and Rice Street will receive new sidewalks.
• Nixa’s Downtown Revitalization Committee, founded in 2017, is planning what the city needs to invest for improvements downtown.
“I think city leadership is really looking forward to focusing on economic development this year, to improve the business environment in Nixa,” Douglas said. “And we are really excited to have all of the new leadership coming on board, to help guide us in that mission.”
