Save the Date: Inclusion Forum October 4th
Employers seeking to be a workplace of choice in this tight labor market will find a new resource in the region’s first-ever Inclusion Forum, set for October 4th in Joplin. The event features an employer panel, keynote speaker, and demonstrations of tools helpful to employ those with disabilities. Utilizing those with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities forRead More
New trends on staying competitive in the labor market
Labor Day week ushered in a series of workshops for local employers with the debut of a long-awaited labor supply certification study. During the one-hour sessions, employers gained new insights to boost competitiveness as an employer of choice, wage competitiveness, commute patterns, retention trends, and what motivates workers of all ages and types. The WIBRead More
Scholastic makes long-term commitment in Neosho
Scholastic and the Neosho Area Business and Industrial Foundation, Inc. (GROW NEOSHO) announced Friday that Scholastic, Inc. extended the lease of their Neosho facility through July of 2022 according to a press release from GROW NEOSHO summarized by the Joplin Regional Business Journal. Scholastic’s Neosho facility employs more than 500 people during peak season and hasRead More
Joplin Metro among nation’s best for logistics and quality of life
Business Facilities magazine published their 12th Annual Rankings Report in their August edition. The Joplin metro area landed in the top ten ranking for two different categories: 7th for Logistics (industry sector) Leaders and 8th for Quality of Life. Joplin ranks alongside very worthy competitors. Quality of Life Rankings Oklahoma City, OK Nashville, TN Minneapolis,Read More
Newton County grant expands youth testing
The Neosho Area Business & Industrial Foundation, Inc. (NABIFI) won a grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) to expand career readiness testing for youth across Newton County. The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) is the benchmark of choice for thousands of job seekers and employers statewide. As a key function of CertifiedRead More
First tri-state Work Ready region emerges
Continuing the legacy of firsts for regional workforce innovation, the Joplin Tri-State Region is the first in the nation to achieve Certified Work Ready Community (CWRC) status that crosses the borders of three different states with the attainment by Ottawa County. As investors often put their top priorities on workforce, having CWRC is a bigRead More
Magazine Showcases Missouri’s CWRC Success
Jasper County, Missouri, was the first Work Ready Community in the nation, obtaining its work ready status in 2013, and the Joplin metropolitan statistical area was the second MSA in the US to be certified. As noted recently by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, this is all thanks to the leaders of the WorkforceRead More
Downtown Cassville to spur jobs and investment
All elements of economic development must come together, including workforce, to move an economy forward. Already a Certified Work Ready Community, Cassville leaders aim to leverage the assets of downtown along with strategies for improvements and marketing. The Cassville Main Street Association recently invited community members to a “Share the Vision” comprehensive presentation outlining five yearsRead More
Competitive Workforce
The WIB is committed to filling skill gaps and creating opportunities for Southwest Missouri’s workforce to score and enter vibrant, family-supporting careers. More >
Growing Businesses
The Business Solutions Center has the workforce ideas to help your business grow with the most value-added package of HR services available locally. More >
Regional Prosperity
Workforce and economic development partnerships integrate across channels and boundaries so the entire Four-States region can prosper. More >
