Excelsior Springs, Mo. — Thrive Excelsior has released its 2023-24 Annual Impact Report, highlighting significant progress in community health, housing, economic vitality, and public engagement. Thrive Director Kim Halfhill announced the report’s release earlier this week, noting, “Check out the Thrive Excelsior 2023-24 Impact Report. It’s hot off the presses! We have made significant strides towards our goals in the past year. This impact is the result of many years of collaboration and hard work. Our community partners have led many of these projects, and together, we’ve made real progress.”
Thrive Excelsior is a community coalition that brings together leaders and residents from across healthcare, education, business, local government, and nonprofits to address quality of life and life expectancy in Excelsior Springs. The coalition’s work is guided by four key focus areas: health and wellness, housing, economic vitality, and community connection and engagement.
According to the report, the city has seen a 15.45% decrease in chronic disease diagnoses since 2019 and a 1.8% increase in annual checkups in the past year. Initiatives like the Family Care Series and community “Lunch and Learns” have helped spread wellness education, while collaboration among health agencies continues to improve access to care. One example is the Thrive Health and Wellness Task Force booth at the local Farmers Market, which provides a visible and interactive platform for health outreach.
On the housing front, the report reveals a 7% decline in suboptimal housing since 2018, bringing Excelsior Springs below both state and national averages. In 2024, 19 vacant properties were brought back to life through occupancy, and another 18 are currently under remodel. A tax abatement program also helped generate $4 million in improvements in the downtown area, and more than 50 new housing units are now under development, including the Flats at Coach Crossing, which will serve senior adults.
Economic indicators are also on the rise. The median income in Excelsior Springs has increased by 16.3% since 2018, and a new job board has been launched to connect residents with employment opportunities. The city also secured a competitive bid to host the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, further supporting local business initiatives.
Community engagement remains strong, with 8 in 10 residents now rating quality of life as good or excellent. Since its founding, the Citizens Leadership Academy has graduated 27 residents, with that number expected to double this spring. Many graduates have taken on new leadership or volunteer roles in the community. Survey results also show a growing sense of optimism, with a 16% increase in residents believing the community will improve over the next three to five years.
“As we look ahead, we are excited to continue building a community where everyone can thrive,” Halfhill said in her report.
The full 2023-24 Impact Report can be viewed below:
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