Vision Statement:
Joplin, a regional center at the crossroads of America, where a prosperous and diversified economy joins with hometown values to create a continually enhanced quality.
Mission Statement:
The City of Joplin will provide efficient delivery of quality services in the areas of public safety, health and environment, community and economic development, leisure activities, and infrastructure needs for people living, visiting or doing business in Joplin. It is our goal to design services in response to existing and emerging needs of customers. We are committed to providing clearly superior services to the community, leaving a lasting impression of professionalism and excellence. We pledge, as a team, to build on our rich heritage while creatively planning our future to ensure the expected quality of life in Joplin and the surrounding area.
About the City:
Joplin is located in southwest Missouri in the "four states" region encompassing Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. At the edge of the Ozark Mountain region, Joplin has a current population of 49,024. The daytime population swells to 270,000 while the population within a 40-mile radius of Joplin is 400,000, making it Missouri's fourth largest metropolitan area. Joplin combines the beauty and hospitality of country living with the convenience and commerce of city vitality.
Incorporated in 1873, the City of Joplin is a full-service municipality. It operates under the Council-Manager form of government and has approximately 400 employees delivering a variety of services to the regional community.
Joplin is readily accessible to eight major lakes, numerous clear-water streams, and a number of entertainment and vacation attractions. Located at the crossroads of Interstate Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 71, Joplin serves as the commercial, cultural, financial, educational, medical, recreational and transportation center of a 5,000 square-mile area. Joplin's regional airport provides ready access to major transportation centers and is served by Great Lakes Air to Kansas City, MO.
Joplin's lively interest in cultural activities includes history, arts, concerts, theater and dance. George A. Spiva Center for the Arts features a continuous rotation of famous exhibits, a regional focus gallery, and art instruction for both children and adults. Joplin Little Theater, the oldest continuous community theater west of the Mississippi, allows a creative outlet for local residents. In addition, local colleges and universities offer various cultural opportunities, including the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. Joplin's Memorial Hall is also a popular venue for concerts and other entertainment events.
A diverse and brisk economy supports the needs of industry in this rapidly growing region. The local economy realizes $220 million direct income each year from tourism which is supported by more than 2,000 hotel rooms and 150 restaurants. In addition to excellent schools, churches, and community activities, Joplin offers a cost of living that is among the most desirable of any city of its size in the country. ACCRA (American Chamber of Commerce Researchers' Association) currently computes cost of living in Joplin to be 81.6% of the national average for metropolitan areas (Q1-2007). For residential housing, Joplin offers one of best values in the United States. The average value of existing homes in the area is $72,540. New three-bedroom homes typically range from $70,000 to $105,000.
There are several institutions of higher education located in Joplin including Missouri Southern State University, which had a Spring 2004 enrollment of 6,500 plus full-time and part-time students. Other institutions include Ozark Christian College, Messenger College, Vatterott College and the Franklin Technology Center.
Health care providers and related businesses are among the major employers in the area. There are more than 300 physicians and surgeons and over 100 dentists located in Joplin. Providing emergency medical services to residents of the area are St. John's Regional Medical Center and Freeman Health System. Combined, the hospitals have nearly 750 beds. St. John's and Freeman hospitals both operate Level II Trauma Centers.
The Joplin Parks and Recreation Department has added a twist to the traditional egg hunt… hunting in the DARK! Children ages 3-10 are invited to hop on over to the Gene Bassman Softball Complex, located within the Joplin Athletic Complex, and…
Read More »Joplin Parks & Recreation is offering introductory sport programs for preschoolers this spring at the Joplin Athletic Complex. Little Kickers Soccer is designed to introduce preschoolers to the sport of soccer. The program begins the week of…
Read More »Registration is now open for the Joplin Parks and Recreation adult recreational sport leagues. Adults looking to get outside and have some fun this spring are encouraged to register for the Adult Softball and/or Soccer Leagues held at the Joplin…
Read More »Now is the perfect time to get your “little eagle” or other Joplin school kindergartener prepared for school! Pre-Enrollment started on February 6 and Joplin Health Department staff are here to help. -We will immunize children who…
Read More »Tickets are now on sale for the 23rd annual Daddy Daughter Date Night hosted by the Joplin Parks and Recreation Department. This year’s event will be held on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th at the Joplin History and Mineral…
Read More »To prevent fire hazards and encourage a safe environment, the Joplin Fire Department will soon be visiting Joplin businesses to conduct a routine safety inspection. Inspections are done for every business on an annual basis. They were paused during…
Read More »Bring your taxpayer dollars back Joplin! The City of Joplin is requesting all citizens of Joplin to log data about their internet and speed connectivity through a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) study. The City is currently soliciting…
Read More »The City of Joplin will have three collection points for discarded, natural (live) Christmas trees starting December 26 and continuing through January 31. Citizens should bring their tree, completely stripped of all decorations, and place it near…
Read More »Get your Letters to Santa by Dec. 5 thru Parks & Rec Campaign With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s time for children to begin writing their letters to Santa! Joplin Parks and Recreation has made special arrangements with…
Read More »Santa is taking a break from his holiday schedule to make a special stop to have breakfast with all the good little girls and boys! Joplin Parks and Recreation will host their annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Joplin History & Mineral…
Read More »In recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday, the City of Joplin offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25. This closing includes the Joplin Recycling Center, MAPS and the Sunshine Lamp Trolley services. The Recycling…
Read More »Joplin Parks and Recreation, the City of Joplin, and Visit Joplin are continuing a new holiday tradition in Mercy Park. The Holiday Tree Trail is a series of decorated trees from area businesses and organizations placed along a portion of the…
Read More »JATSO seeking public comments on TIP amendment The Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization (JATSO) is seeking a 7-day public comment period for an amendment to the 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP contains…
Read More »The City of Joplin will start the annual residential leaf pick-up program on November 28, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, weather permitting. To address all areas of Joplin, the City utilizes two crews that start in outlying areas and work…
Read More »Due to a shortage of drivers, Joplin’s public transportation options will be reduced starting November 28, 2022. At that time, the Sunshine Lamp Trolley service will be suspended until further notice and riders will be referred to the MAPS…
Read More »The Joplin City Health Department/Women, Infants and Children (WIC) announces a contract continuance to provide WIC services for the federal fiscal year 2023 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Women,…
Read More »As citizens “fall back” and move their clocks back one hour this weekend as daylight savings time comes to an end the Joplin Fire Department urges families to take steps to make their homes safer by changing the batteries in their smoke…
Read More »Joplin Fire Chief Gerald Ezell is pleased to announce that Dave Holden will begin serving as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Joplin and Jasper County starting November 7. Current Emergency Manager Keith Stammer will retire on November 1,…
Read More »The City will open the tree limb and brush drop-off site on Friday, October 14, and Saturday, October 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the final drop-off weekend scheduled, as the free program runs from March through October. If the community…
Read More »Tickets are now on sale for the Mom Son Date Night hosted by the Joplin Parks and Recreation Department. This year’s event will be held on Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th at the Joplin History and Mineral Museum.…
Read More »After serving the City for more than 17 years, Emergency Manager for Joplin and Jasper County Keith Stammer has announced he will retire on November 1 this year. Stammer began his career with the City in 2005 and provided steady leadership…
Read More »The Joplin Health Department is now offering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes for the community, with the first classes offered on Thursday, September 8. Three different courses, including Friends and Family, Heart Saver, and Heart Code…
Read More »City’s budget documents available online; budget work sessions set for Sept. 20 - 22 Budget planning for the City of Joplin is underway and the Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2023 is available to view on the City’s website. The…
Read More »Work on the ADA-accessible ramp at the west entrance of City Hall is near completion and the west entrance should open in the next couple of weeks. With the construction phase done with new concrete in place, the contractor has removed the barriers,…
Read More »The City’s free tree limb drop-off has been a popular program and is the source of an upcoming giveaway of FREE wood chips, which serve as good mulch for trees and bushes. Wood chips will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, August…
Read More »City Issues A Request For Information To Expand The Broadband Network In The Community The City of Joplin, Missouri is seeking a broadband partner interested in helping the City bring fiber-optic broadband to every home and business in the city.…
Read More »The Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization (JATSO) is seeking a 14-day public comment period for the FY 2023 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The UPWP lists the transportation studies and tasks that MPO staff and member agencies will…
Read More »The City will open the tree limb and brush drop-off site on Friday, August 19, and Saturday, August 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free program is open the third Friday and Saturday of the month from March through October, unless there is a…
Read More »The City of Joplin is pleased to announce Bart Starkey as the new Airport Manager for Joplin Regional Airport. The position became open upon long-time manager Steve Stockam’s retirement in April of this year. Starkey has broad management…
Read More »Starting on Monday, July 25, Murphy Boulevard will be closed west of Lone Elm Road as part of the Murphy Boulevard and Lone Elm Stormwater Improvement project. Murphy Boulevard will be closed potentially for the duration of the project which is…
Read More »Breastfeeding support group hosting event Aug. 6 as part of World Breastfeeding Week Chi Chi MaMa’s Breastfeeding Support group is holding a breastfeeding celebration to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2022 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on…
Read More »The City will open the tree limb and brush drop-off site on Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free program is open the third Friday and Saturday of the month from March through October, unless there is a weather…
Read More »The City of Joplin and federal representatives are looking to finish a final phase of a multi-year effort to complete streetscaping with funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, of 2022. United States Representative Billy Long included…
Read More »Joplin City officials are pleased to announce that air service with SkyWest Airlines operated by United Express will continue to offer a dual hub service plan for Joplin throughout 2022. The service will include a daily nonstop flight to Chicago…
Read More »On Monday, June 27, at 3:16 AM, Joplin 911 received a report of a structure fire in a residence located at 819 W. A Street. The caller reported seeing flames in the residence and also that one occupant was unable to get out of the house. Joplin…
Read More »Joplin City Manager Nick Edwards is pleased to announce that Tony Robyn has accepted the position of Assistant City Manager. Robyn worked at the City from 2012 to 2017, and was promoted from the Disaster Recovery Coordinator to the Assistant…
Read More »Fire Dept. reminds citizens of fireworks guidelines and safety tips As Independence Day approaches, citizens need to keep safety in mind as they handle fireworks to avoid any problems. To provide a safer environment for families, neighbors, and…
Read More »Joplin’s Schifferdecker Park has always been a popular gathering place, even 100 years ago. The park had many amenities in its early days, including a public golf course. Joplin’s Golf Course opened on June 29, 1922. The golf…
Read More »Joplin firefighters will be joined by City officials and community members during a “wet down” ceremony for the new ladder truck being put into service at Joplin Fire Station #5. The event will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22 at…
Read More »Joplin Parks & Recreation and Missouri Southern State University have once again joined together for Joplin’s Independence Day celebration. This event will be held at Fred G. Hughes Stadium at Missouri Southern State University on Monday,…
Read More »At approximately 4:50 p.m. on June 14, 2022, Joplin 911 received reports of a male subject riding a raft near Joplin’s Grand Falls did not resurface after he went over the falls. Joplin Fire and Redings Mill Fire swift water rescue teams…
Read More »As the heat index increases to dangerously high levels, City officials remind citizens to check on family members, neighbors, and friends to ensure their environment is adequate to endure the hot conditions. According to Keith Stammer,…
Read More »The City will open the tree limb and brush drop-off site on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free program is open the third Friday and Saturday of the month from March through October, unless there is a weather…
Read More »Joplin’s American Legion Post 13 will be conducting a Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5 PM on Flag Day, Tues, June 14 on the grounds of Memorial Hall, at 8th & Joplin. The community is invited to participate or bring retired U.S. or State…
Read More »Starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2022, the City of Joplin will not be able to accept any online utility bill payments due to upgrading the computer software of this system. The online utility payment option will be down until approximately 8…
Read More »The City of Joplin is proud to share this information from the First Responders Children’s Foundation: Joplin Police Captain Will Davis is one of the honorees at their annual gala recognizing first responders for their heroic efforts…
Read More »Later this summer, Joplin voters will be asked whether they support a property tax to support and grow public safety services in our community. The City Council recently passed an ordinance to place a question on the August 2, 2022 ballot asking…
Read More »Stormwater work near 10th Street and Main Street has been completed and the City is pleased to announce that West 10th Street is reopened. The signal on Main Street is also operational, so drivers should prepare to stop if signaled by the light. …
Read More »It is with a heavy heart that the City of Joplin announces that Lyndell Edwards, Superintendent of Wastewater Services, passed away on Friday, May 27. Edwards joined the City in 2008 and served 14 years in his position. Prior to working at the…
Read More »Memorial Day weekend marks the kickoff of the summer swim season in Joplin. Like many cities nationwide, Joplin’s Parks and Recreation department is experiencing lifeguard staffing challenges causing pool operations to be modified. …
Read More »Missouri Legislators initiate funding efforts for Joplin and surrounding area Area legislators are working to secure funding for Joplin and southwest Missouri to gain state funding for some key initiatives for Joplin and the metro area. …
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