The Missouri Job Center and Springfield’s Department of Workforce Development are taking steps to move to a “more convenient location,” according to city government spokesperson Cora Scott.
The Springfield City Council will hear a proposal at its May 20 meeting to reallocate $4.4 million in carryover funds originally earmarked for renovations to Historic City Hall for the purchase and renovation of a building near the City Government Plaza downtown.
At a City Council study session May 14, City Manager Jason Gage said the shift in funds doesn't change the total allocation for the City Hall project, but helps rebalance financing and give the city the “most flexible use” of funds.
In addition to carryover funds — which will allow the city government to maximize the use of tax-exempt financing — the city plans to issue bonds to acquire the building, which would be repaid through rental payments from the Department of Workforce Development.
The location and cost of the building were not provided. Full details will be released once the purchase is finalized, which is expected to take place before the fiscal year ends June 30.
The Department of Workforce Development shares leased space with partner agencies at 2900 E. Sunshine St., at a monthly expense of $42,182.29. Partners include Associated General Contractors of Missouri, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Equus Workforce Solutions, Job Corps, Legal Services of Southern Missouri, Missouri Works Initiative, and the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC).
The city’s partners would be given the option to move to the new facility, according to Scott.
The Department of Workforce Development, which operates under the guidance of seven presiding county commissioners from surrounding counties and the Workforce Development Board, is the designated service provider of the Missouri Job Centers and Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act for the Ozarks region.
Springfield’s Missouri Job Center offers adult job training, youth training programs, career services and business services.
