How has Springfield recovered since its time in the national spotlight last year?
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The arrival of more than 15,000 Haitian migrants to Springfield in recent years divided the city.
Some residents in the Clark County city opposed their new neighbors, while others came out in full support of the Haitians by denouncing hate against migrants.
Previous coverage of Springfield's time in the national spotlight
'If I were you, I'd be tremendously focused on doing the right thing for citizens and not all the Haitians,' said Richard Jordan at a Feb. 11 commission meeting. 'All the citizens are tired of this.'
'Why are we going to allow this hatred, this volatile hatred, to ruin the reputation of Springfield?' asked Bradford Bogan at a Jan. 14 commission meeting.
This debate has been ongoing in the city for months, but it was Sept. 10, 2024, when the situation in Springfield gained national attention.
Claims by President Donald Trump during an election debate, which have since been debunked, put a bright spotlight on the city and its ongoing issues that included road safety, strained city services and healthcare, and basic communication between neighbors.
2 NEWS' Special Reports: Digging deeper on a number of topics
Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck said he and his team sprang into action to handle community tension, hoping to keep the city's motto in mind: 'Moving Forward…Together.'
'We're working to grow as a community, and we're doing that in a collaborative mindset,' said Heck.
In 2025, the City of Springfield is expecting major economic growth, including new housing developments for the first time in decades and a list of new investors interested in the city.
Heck said Gov. Mike DeWine has played a major role in that forward momentum.
'We're not there to supplant anything,' said DeWine. 'The local community has to do it.'
The state has pledged millions of dollars for the city. Those funds have gone towards helping to expand healthcare options, translation services, driving resources and law enforcement support.
The tensions are still present but the threats to public entities have dwindled. Through it all, the community is moving forward.
'It's just the basic level that we all have to ask ourselves: At the end of the day, at the end of everything, how do we live our lives?' said the Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart with Springfield Neighbors United. 'Do we live on the side of love and good, or on the side of hate?'
COMING TUESDAY: Members of the Haitian community speak ou about the personal battles they've faced, what they say they want to see in Springfield, and what they think can be done to change the narrative.
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