In 2025, West Plains issued 71 permits, sparking approximately $18.4 million in local construction. Despite a decrease in permits from last year, the revenue increase of more than $3 million over 2024 reflects strong collaboration among developers, planners, and officials to strengthen the community.
Increased Commercial Development
Commercial development served as the primary engine for local growth last year. Building Official and Zoning Administrator Dustin Harrison reported that the city issued 28 commercial permits with an estimated cost of $13.4 million. This sector, which encompasses commercial, industrial and manufacturing projects, saw the addition of five entirely new buildings and significant upgrades to existing ones.
Locals may notice these changes through the arrival of the 7 Brew coffee stand in the Southern Hills Shopping Center and a new location for Southern Hills Auto Plaza on Worley Drive. The scale of these projects is reflected in the numbers: commercial permit values jumped significantly from $2.5 million in 2024 to $13.4 million in 2025.
Technology and Innovation
The groundwork laid last year is already paving the way for major future milestones. Mayor Mike Topliff and city staff have spent months collaborating with Alabama-based information technology firm Provalus to establish a new technology operations center at 601 Washington Ave.
The project, expected to open by the end of 2026, represents a $1 million investment that city officials estimate could bring up to 200 jobs to the downtown area. Topliff credited the project’s momentum to the dedicated efforts of city staff, including Harrison, Planning Director Emily Gibson and City Administrator Sam Anselm.
Growing Housing Options
On the residential front, city leaders and builders continue to work to address the area's housing needs with efforts to replace homes lost during the historic 2017 flood. Six multifamily permits were issued in 2025 at an estimated cost of $3.2 million, resulting in five new multifamily buildings.
A centerpiece of this residential expansion is the Garner Villas Phase II development. Located near Bruce Smith Parkway and County Road 6460, this project added 16 new two-bedroom housing units. Funded with help from a $2.62 million Community Development Block Grant awarded to the city, the units are designed to be energy-efficient and accessible. Unlike the senior-restricted Phase I development, Phase II is open to all ages, offering high-quality housing options for a wider range of local families.
Another addition to the city's housing availability included a new four-plex built on Burke Avenue, Harrison noted.
Residential Investment Remains Steady
While 2025 stood out with regard to commercial projects, single-family residential investment remained a steady focus.
Homeowners and contractors continued to invest in their properties, with 37 residential permits issued at an estimated value of $1.86 million, Harrison reported This included six newly constructed single-family homes; remaining residential permits were issued to residents choosing to modify and enhance their existing homes.
A year-over-year comparison shows that, while the total number of building permits issued dipped from 101 in 2024 to 71 in 2025, the overall financial investment in the city increased by more than $3 million.
In 2024, total construction costs were estimated at $15.29 million, driven largely by a strong single-family housing market that saw 59 permits issued at a value of nearly $9 million.
