Report highlights growth of Joplin's healthcare, education

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) -- A new report analyses the healthcare and higher education industries in Joplin.

The report, provided by TEConomy Partners, a research and analysis firm, shows the city's biomedical sector grew by 21% between 2017 and 2021. That's compared to a national growth rate of only 5.2%.

TEConomy says Joplin's higher education industry grew 1.3% compared a nationwide decline of 4.5%.

"Communities grow by building on the foundation of their existing strengths and assets," says Travis Stephens, President & CEO of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. "This report has identified some of those key assets and growth areas for the Joplin region and provides us with a road map for leveraging our higher education and health care institutions to capitalize on their potential."

Based on the TEConomy findings, the firm recommends three measures to maximize economic growth:

1. Coordinate with higher education programs in the region to connect students with jobs in the health care and health sciences industries.
2. Use existing health care and higher education resources in the area to research and develop emerging technologies related to digital health care.
3. Enhancing the delivery of local health care and tailoring it to the needs of the local community.

The city of Joplin says the next step in the process is for the Joplin Regional Alliance for Health Care and Health Science to higher a director to implement those three strategies.

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