A Magnificent Story... It all began when a group of dedicated individuals committed to the growth of Joplin, incorporated the Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation on October 24, 1985. The vision was clear, focused and determined. Immediately following the successful sale of the first spec building, it was obvious JBIDC was on to something big. Staying focused and determined now for more than two decades, the success and growth for Joplin has been the envy of the state. Look at these amazing facts. Since completion of the first shell building in 1987, 1,925 new jobs have been created as a direct result and 3,850 as an indirect result. The numbers speak for themselves…a total of 5,775 new jobs are due to the success of the JBIDC Shell Building Program! These 5,775 jobs represent a total combined annual payroll of $133 million. Joplin has also prospered in terms of financial growth with an estimated $46 million in retail sales and an estimated $33 million in housing being generated on an annual basis. The past and present successes are the direct result of years of hard work and unparalleled economic development cooperation among the Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation and its many partners, including the City of Joplin, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, Empire District Electric Company and the Joplin Industrial Development Authority. Priceless financial contributions and commitments have brought us to this point in our local history; a successful history that calls us to repeat our previous actions and do it again! JBIDC’s success is a major part of the overall economic development partnership that helped create 10,000 direct and indirect new jobs in the past decade. Growth of this magnitude has put Joplin in the unique position of being on the verge of unprecedented economic opportunity. JBIDC’s goal is to play its part in the creation of 7,000 new jobs in the next five years. It is an aggressive goal, but one that will make this area better than ever. Past success and a commitment as a community to our quality of life urges us to make a magnificent story even better. Your investment in our community is critical for the next chapter in our history to be a success. Please help as we work together to build growth for Joplin. A special thank you to the Joplin Business and Industrial Development Corporation, its board members through the years, countless volunteers, contributors and the good people of the greater Joplin metropolitan area.