The Myers Building in downtown Springfield will celebrate its 100th anniversary in September, and the historic property now has a new owner after three generations of ownership by the Myers family. Marcus & Millichap, a commercial real estate firm, initially announced plans to auction the property in December, but it was later extended to allow […]
Michelle Ownbey
Michelle Ownbey is the publisher of Springfield Business Journal and Illinois Times.
Public meeting for Third Street Corridor redevelopment project
The city of Springfield will host an open house from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at the Dana-Thomas House to share plans for the proposed Third Street Corridor through Springfield. This project is planned to be developed following the relocation of the Third Street railroad tracks to the 10th Street rail corridor. Explore the latest […]
Lana Shovlin joins Lincoln Library
Lana Shovlin, the new public relations manager for Lincoln Library, describes the role as her dream job. “I’m an avid reader, and I love the library,” she said. “I was not actively looking (for employment), but a girlfriend of mine sent me the job listing.” Shovlin said her love for libraries dates back to her […]
Woodside/Iron Bridge Road project begins
A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 12 marking the start of a significant project at Woodside and Iron Bridge roads – a major infrastructure investment aimed at reducing traffic congestion and enhancing travel safety in this part of Sangamon County. The $53.3 million project, awarded to Freesen, a division of UCM, Inc., began in mid-April […]
Women of Influence recipients honored at event
Each year, Springfield Business Journal partners with Security Bank to recognize women from the public and private sectors who have made outstanding contributions to the local community. The recipients are selected from nominations submitted by community members throughout the year. On Tuesday, May 20, Security Bank hosted a reception at Island Bay Yacht Club for […]
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase launches 5th Street Gem
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase says she’s putting her money where her mouth is and launching her own business, 5th Street Gem, in a newly renovated building downtown after years of encouraging other entrepreneurs to invest in the area. “I have a true passion for our downtown, and not just because I represent part of […]
Renovations underway for Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop
Renovations have begun on a downtown building that is slated to become a coffee shop, bakery and wine bar. Plans for Schlee’s Gourmet Bakery & Bottle Shop were initially announced last fall, but co-owner Ashley Rickenbach said the scale of renovations needed to turn the former hair salon at 225 S. Sixth St. into a space with […]
IHDA funds projects in Springfield, Jacksonville
The Illinois Housing Development Authority has announced the conditional award of more than $50 million in state and federal funding to spur the development of permanent supportive housing throughout Illinois. Of the seven statewide projects slated to receive funding, one is in Springfield and one is in Jacksonville. Bluestem Housing Partners and Envision Unlimited received […]
Charlie White joins First Women’s Bank
Charlie White has joined First Women’s Bank as a senior vice president business development officer. The bank, which will celebrate four years in business in July, describes itself as “the nation’s only bank with a strategic focus on supporting the women’s economy and closing the gender lending gap.” White spent nearly seven years as a […]
Former Sangamo Club property still on the market
It’s been a little over a year since PNC Bank foreclosed on the former Sangamo Club and so far, there have been no takers to repurpose the downtown property, despite significant price reductions since it was first listed for sale. The 28,000-square-foot building at 227 E. Adams St. was initially listed by Hurwitz Enterprises in […]
UCB to acquire Midland Community Bank
United Community Bancorp, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Midland Community Bank based in Kincaid, Illinois. Midland Community Bank is a full-service community bank established in 1968 with two locations in the Christian County communities of Kincaid and Taylorville, with $66.9 million in assets as of March 31. “Midland is an excellent and […]
Hinshaw adds health care partner to Springfield practice
Katie Anderson has joined the health care practice group in the Springfield office of Hinshaw & Culbertson. Previously with Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, she brings significant in-house experience at a hospital and regional health system, in addition to private law practice. “Katie adds significant knowledge of the inner workings and business considerations for health […]

