In March of 2020, along with the rest of the county, there were many questions about how bad the pandemic would damage Joplin’s economy. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Just over a year ago, Joplin city officials didn’t know how their town would fair after the pandemic. A vaccine availability opens up further; it appears that the city could be in a better position than it was one year ago. Joplin Mayor Ryan Stanely speaking on Monday at the city’s monthly Covid 19 update. “Joplin’s economic opportunity and outlook has never been brighter from what I’ve experienced in my six years on council. And this on the heels of Amazon hiring people right now. Casey’s distribution is hiring people right now.”

Joplin Health Director Ryan Talken, also speaking at update, said that 31% of the city’s residents had received at least 1-Covid 19 vaccine, which is higher than the state average of about 24%.