Cheering on Southwest Missouri with Springfield's Amy Austin

On her leadership style: 

“I’m one of these people who likes to take other people’s big ideas, run with them and see them through. I’m not a flashy, stand-up-and-yell-to-the-masses type of person. I’m a quiet person that gets a bur under them.”

“I pick projects that mean something. I want to see it through because it’s the right thing to do.”

On upcoming projects:

“The convention center is something that Springfield has been working on for a long time. Springfield is losing out; [conferences, conventions and outside businesses are] going to all these different places around us that have them. We just need to think big and get it done.”

“We’re working hard with the sports commission. They’ve completed studies on bringing amateur sports into Springfield. A lot of cities are creating ball fields, soccer fields to bring teams in. We’re just limited. It’s something the people of Springfield want; let’s do it.”

“Let’s work on five—the five biggest that will make the biggest payback for the city.”

On her vision for Springfield:

“If we can get people here to see that people coming into town are not only spending money where they’re going, but that they’re also spending money at hotels and motels and eating out at restaurants. It’s a big, important part of Springfield.”

“People come here for the outdoors, for Wonders of Wildlife, and people come and live here because it’s a great place to live. We’ve got a diverse economy, low cost of living, and it’s a great place to raise a family.” 

“Pretty much Springfield sells itself.”