Latest news with #JoplinCVB
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Travelers highlight Route 66's economic impact
JOPLIN, Mo. — It could be a long weekend a couple of hours away, or a full week at the beach. Travel takes on a wide range of trips, and impacts the economy even right here in southwest Missouri. 'This is my first time in Joplin. Yes, it will be my first time going through Missouri,' said Maria Kyson, Louisiana traveler. Maria Kyson is traveling Route 66 through Missouri and Oklahoma. 'We're doing the whole week. We just stayed tonight here. In Catoosa, we stayed two nights, and then we're going up towards St Louis. We'll stay a couple of nights,' said Kyson. She and her husband are just a small part of a much larger tourism picture for the Joplin area. In 2024, Jasper and Newton County alone combined for hundreds of millions of dollars in spending from travelers. 'The almost $450 million that comes into the two counties drops our taxes locally that we have to pay because it's outside, money coming in and doing things like buying gas, buying food, attending attractions and events, and is that those impact our local markets, the local municipalities and the counties,' said Patrick Tuttle, Joplin CVB dir. Joplin CVB Director Patrick Tuttle points out the two counties have more attractions than you might think… everything from fan favorites like Precious Moments and Jefferson Highway to other, much broader attractions. 'Route 66 has been around for 100 years now, is on the map and great draw. We've got some national parks in the area, you know, Carver National Monument's great to have. The fish hatchery down in Neosho is a nationally known fish hatchery. It's a lot of small things put together to make the big picture,' said Tuttle. And while travel and tourism is great for the local economy, that also boosts the workforce. Tourism related jobs account for more than eight thousand positions in a four county area. Catering to tourists like Maria Kyson and what she calls her 'vintage' travel on the Mother Road. 'It shows you a lot of different things that you wouldn't see if you go to, you know, New York City, or LA or anything, you're not going to see,' said Kyson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Joplin's birthday celebration highlights history and Irish heritage
JOPLIN, Mo. — We caught up with Joplin's CVB director this evening, as city leaders took time to recognize Joplin's upcoming birthday. Joplin will turn 152 years old on March 23rd, but the city's celebration commission took time during tonight's council meeting to recognize the milestone. PREVIOUS: 152 years of Joplin history to be celebrated A presentation was made specifically on St. Patrick's Day to recognize Joplin's roots and its founding fathers' Irish heritage. Presenters feel marking the city's birthday is important every year, to remember its roots and where it came from. 'Joplin's always been a city of resilience. You go back to the mining days and the struggling of mining. You know, when they first started there were 20 prospectors here. And, one year later, when they discovered lead, there were 500. And it got as big as 8,000 before the mining was done. So, it's been a mega area for all kinds of development through the years. So, remembering that birthday is important to all of us,' said Patrick Tuttle, Joplin CVB director/ Joplin Celebrations Commission member. The commission also recognized the fact city hall has been in the historic Newman building for 20 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Joplin Heritage Trail expands with two new historical markers
JOPLIN, Mo. — Two new additions are now on the Joplin Heritage Trail, providing more insight into the city's past. A small crowd gathered today on East Persimmon Street, focusing specifically on the site of the Cox family estate. Joplin Celebration Commission members unveiled a marker honoring the history of John C. Cox, who established Joplin's first homestead in 1838. Despite some additions, Cox's original home is still on the property and is still in his family, one of Mr. Cox's descendants currently lives there. 'It's important, I think, for every community to know and preserve its history. And, to do this for John C. Cox and his family was just, wow. Could have knocked us over with a feather. It really, really means a lot,' said Michael Apfel, John C. Cox's great-great grandson. 'Come to the storyboard and learn about him. He was friends with Reverend Joplin, who he named the city for. We're talking about almost 30 years before the city became incorporated. And the things that he did from being the first postmaster, to surveyor, all kinds of jobs he had in the area as Jasper County itself was being developed. And, he put Joplin on the map,' said Patrick Tuttle, Joplin CVB director/ Joplin Celebrations Commission member. The other marker recently added tells the story of 'The Unrest,' which details the tension between mining camps. That makes the 8th and 9th markers on the trail, which are mainly in or near Landreth Park. Funding comes from the Joplin tourism tax through the Visit Joplin budget, then allocated to the Celebration Commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
