Countries servicing the globe banded together to share ideas, data, and guidance on the G20 during the B20 summit. The conclusion? Downtown Nixa Mark Anderson reports that international infrastructure project investment remains lacking. The group tasked with studying infrastructure financing and growth showed the investment gap must be filled to drive inclusive development and reach its potential.

Annually, $2.5 billion is invested in infrastructure projects related to energy, telecommunications, transportation, and water, with an additional $7 billion invested in social infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, and urban developments), housing, and public service networks.

While those figures may seem fruitful, evidence shows it’s not enough. Should investments remain at this level, the world will experience lower economic growth and insufficient public services.

Closing the Investment Gap: The Ticket to Substantial Worldwide Economic Development

According to BBVA’s executive board member and B20’s working group vice president, José Manuel González-Páramo, closing the infrastructure investment gap is perhaps the global economy’s primary challenge.

The importance of addressing the lacking financing rests on the following three major points:

• Infrastructure has a crucial part to play in long-term development
• Building infrastructure produces jobs
• Infrastructure has considerable, yet currently unexploited, business opportunities within it

Unfortunately, data shows that investments are yet to rise from the financial crisis. In fact, the percentage of infrastructure investment has fallen in 11 of the economies included in the G20.

Addressing Regulatory Hurdles to Incite Positive Change

With the above in mind, González-Páramo notes it’s necessary to deal with regulatory obstacles that prevent cooperation with multinational countries and impedes digitalization and innovation. As soon as such issues are resolved, bridging the infrastructure investment gap will be possible.

The B20 Forum Empowers the Voices of Businesses and Handles Infrastructure Investment Disparities

The B20 is a forum comprising private international companies that provide recommendations to G20 governments with one main goal — to tackle the most vital economic challenges.

The global mechanism promotes dialogue between governments, businesses, and society. Aligned with the G20, it recommends decision-making associated with social, economic, and corporate issues.

The G20 is a global forum aiming to achieve economic, political, and financial cooperation. Currently, it’s made up of 19 countries and the European Union.

Uniting the B20 for Infrastructure Investment Boosts

Every year, the task forces within the B20 are instructed with different themes related to the modern matters of the world. Recently, there were eight themes, including the following:

• Financing growth and infrastructure
• Agreements and investments
• Small- and medium-sized business development
• Integrity and compliance
• Energy, resource, and climate efficiency
• Employment and education
• Food system sustainability
• Digital economy and industry 4.0

González-Páramo’s working group focused on the promotion of public-private collaboration, infrastructure as an asset class, boosting affordable housing, and cross-border financial legislation consistencies.

Overall, the goal is to establish the framework and infrastructure necessary to foster innovation and achieve the sustainable, inclusive growth the globe craves. By allocating enough funds and focusing on today’s key issues, infrastructure investment can unlock economic development around the world.

Nixa, Missouri has always been an attractive place to live and visit for residents and tourists alike, mostly because of Main Street and all the unique shops it has to offer.

Downtown Nixa has undergone a lot of revitalization projects and will go through a few more until it’s completely finished, such as the widening of Highway 14. This district is full of history and those tasked with the responsibility of preserving it do so while integrating modern entertainment and thriving businesses.

In this article about Downtown Nixa, Mark Anderson explores the past and current projects in town, and future projects on the horizon.

Past Revitalization Projects of Downtown Nixa

Downtown Nixa was founded in the mid-1800s by farmers and traders and quickly became a stopping point for those traveling to Springfield and the lower James River and Arkansas. The Nixa Downtown Revitalization Committee has focused on maintaining the old style of the 1800s while merging it with new ideas. Some of the past projects completed include:

• Local events for the community
• Creepin’ at the Crossroads
• Sucker Days
• Not Yo’ Grandma’s Bingo
• Little Miss Main Street Pageant
• Taste of Downtown
• Farmer’s Market
• Renovation different downtown buildings
• Updated storefronts
• New water line in 2021
• New electrical boxes for special events on Main Street in 2019

Revitalization Projects Currently Underway

Nixa is currently undergoing a number of restoration projects such as

• Downtown Master Plan
• Widening Highway 14
• New mural for downtown district
• Downtown District Zoning
• Renovation of 107 B S Main
• Additional commercial building plans by investors

These projects currently underway will enhance the aesthetics of downtown, bring more business opportunities to store owners and allow for easier transportation and access to downtown businesses and entertainment.

Future Revitalization Projects Planned for Nixa

Enhancing accessibility to the downtown district is a top priority of the Nixa Downtown Revitalization Committee and they will focus on improving parking, walkability, improving crosswalk safety, landscaping, and increasing the amount of art in the downtown area.

Nixa has partnered with Better Block, an organization that will help to practice some placemaking scenarios (brainstorming where different organizations and buildings could go depending upon different circumstances). This will allow the committee to make the best decisions possible when implementing their 5-year strategic plan to improve downtown.

Many of the current and future revitalization projects set to happen in downtown Nixa include preserving the old memories of a charming setting and holiday parades by utilizing fundraisers and community events that not only generate income for the business owners but help to keep people visiting the area and give them reason to come back again.

Future revitalization projects in Nixa will revolve around increasing the overall business revenue in the district and getting more residents and tourists to go downtown for their shopping, business, and entertainment needs. Nixa has always been invested in successfully maintaining their old downtown area while adapting and merging with modern times.

Summary

Nixa has already undergone a lot of restoration to become what it is today, and it will continue to better itself while exhibiting its old-school charm. The committee focused on revitalizing the downtown area will be continuously organizing community events, working with local businesses, and utilizing architectural design experts to provide the best revitalization outcomes possible for Nixa.

By focusing on increasing parking access, increasing the access to businesses and entertainment to pedestrians and teaming up with placemaking experts to assist with future commercial business placement, Nixa will remain a great place for people to visit and experience.