Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance

10/13/2026

Building Trades Career Day is coming up! This is a can’t-miss opportunity to learn more about rewarding, high-demand careers in the trades.

📍 Bank of Springfield Center
📅 Wednesday, November 18 | ⏰ 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Area high school, vocational, trade school and junior college students are invited to explore career opportunities in the building trades. They'll get hands-on demonstrations and meet reps from 13 different trades, including:

Plumbers / Fitters / HVACR | Teamsters | Ironworkers | Carpenters | Operating Engineers | Cement Masons | Electricians | Painters | Insulators | Boilermakers | Bricklayers | Roofers | Sheet Metal Workers

For more info, contact Chris Moss at [email protected].

10/08/2026

Strong business corridors grow through strong community connections! ☕

SSGA Director of Business Development, Abby Powell, attended this morning’s MacArthur Boulevard Association meeting, featuring an update from City of Springfield-Office of Planning and Economic Development City Planner, Suraksha Bhandari.

We’re glad to be part of conversations that support local businesses and a vibrant MacArthur Boulevard for residents and visitors alike. Thank you to the association for bringing people together.

10/08/2026

🚀 Thinking about starting a business? Start here.

Join us online for Starting Your Business in Illinois, a live session that walks you through the first steps of turning an idea into a real business.

📅 Tuesday, October 13
⏰ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
💻 Online (live)

Bring your questions. There's no cost to attend. Register here 👉 https://ilsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/41852

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

A grocery store downtown?

🛒 Grant opportunity: Bringing fresh food closer to home

Every Springfield neighborhood deserves easy access to fresh, healthy food. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is now accepting applications for Round 3 of its New Stores in Food Deserts program, part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative.

The program will award a total of $20.8 million, with individual grants of $500,000 to $5.2 million. Grants help open new grocery stores in eligible food desert areas and can cover:
✅ Property purchase, construction, and renovation
✅ Equipment and fixtures
✅ Up to two years of startup operating costs, including wages and initial food inventory

Who can apply: units of local government, and independent grocers or co-ops with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four locations.

📅 Applications are due December 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Applicants who submit by November 25 can get an early eligibility review.

Free application assistance is available through Western Illinois University's Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.

👉 Full details: https://dceo.illinois.gov/aboutdceo/grantopportunities/3295-4240.html

Photo Credit - https://www.facebook.com/SpringfieldRewind/photos/osco-drug-510-east-adams-on-the-square-downtown-1979/10157006053768558/

10/06/2026

Protecting local water matters. CyrusOne’s Sangamon County data center is designed with water conservation in mind.

10/02/2026

Global connections, local opportunities! 🌎

Earlier this week, SSGA and the Illinois EDC hosted members of the Chicago International Trade Commissioners’ Association and Central Illinois business leaders for dinner at Maldaner's Restaurant in Springfield.

We were honored to welcome representatives from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Wallonia, Mongolia, Denmark, Malaysia, and France to experience our community firsthand. These commissioners help connect U.S. companies with trade opportunities in their home countries and regions.

The evening sparked conversations about international investment and the advantages of doing business in Central Illinois. Thank you to everyone who joined us to build relationships and explore opportunities for our region!

10/02/2026

It’s always a pleasure to connect with our local elected officials! The SSGA team enjoyed catching up with community leaders at The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual Elected Officials Reception.

Strong relationships help move our community forward, and we’re grateful for opportunities to keep those conversations going. Thank you to the Chamber and everyone who helped make the evening a success!

10/01/2026

Next week! 📅 Join CILCSA for Purpose & Compassion at Work with John McHugh on October 8.
Start your morning with meaningful conversation, connection, and insights you can bring back to your workplace.
📍 Cherry Hills Church
⏰ 7:30–9:30 AM
RSVP today to secure your spot!