By Sarah Delano Pavlik, Delano Law Offices, LLC There is no denying that college football is big business. The clear leader is the University of Texas which, according to ESPN, made a $77.9 million profit in 2012 and which, according to Forbes, is worth $139 million. Other top value football programs according to Forbes include […]
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Early education boosts the Illinois economy
New research fuels a call to strengthen childhood programs By ReadyNation/America’s Edge Investments in early care and education for children provides an impressive and nearly immediate business boost for local communities throughout Illinois, with potential to generate thousands more jobs and more than $1 billion in new economic activity, a group of business leaders said […]
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New Business Listings April 2014
Affordable Cleaning Services 2428 Tamaroa Trail City/St/Zip: Springfield IL 62702 Phone: 303-6584 Business Owner(s) Barbara S. Hamlin David A. Hamlin Alpha Properties 365 Walnut Glen Dr. City/St/Zip: Springfield IL 62707 Phone: 487-9144 Business Owner(s) Eric A. Hansen America’s Cup 100 West Main Street City/St/Zip: Pleasant Plains IL 62677 Phone: 626-1258 Business Owner(s) Larry W. Pankey […]
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Why so many corporations do not pay Illinois corporate income tax
by Douglas L. Whitley The Illinois corporate income tax has been under attack for some time by organized labor, social service agencies, community groups and even the director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. People and organizations who favor more government spending have seized upon the mantra that corporations don’t pay “their fair share.” The […]
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Differentiation key to local business success
Case study: The Market on Koke Mill By Bruce Sommer If you ever attended one of my business classes, you heard me say: “Entrepreneurs do three things – create, deliver and capture value,” and, “There are only two strategic ways businesses compete – cost or differentiation.” A cost leadership strategy aims to take advantage of […]
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Bitcoins: How do they work?
By Thomas C. Pavlik, Jr. Although Bitcoins have been around since 2009, it is only recently that they have been all over the news. Most of us understand that Bitcoins are basically Internet cash, but beyond that there seems to be confusion and misunderstanding. Bitcoin is a digital currency. Rather than coins or paper bills, […]
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Nehemiah to build another 30 east side homes this spring
By Lavern McNeese Like Nehemiah of the Bible, Rev. Silas Johnson saw a distressing situation in his neighborhood that stirred him to action. He explained that when the biblical Nehemiah learned that the protective walls around Jerusalem had been torn down, he immediately started the rebuilding process. He got the king’s permission first and then […]
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Out of Africa aspires to spotlight local African-American artists
By Scott Faingold In early 2013, Lynn Williamson came to a disturbing realization while visiting art galleries in anticipation of a visit from her college-age artist daughter. “I would ask if there were any African-American artists represented,” she recalls, “and 100 percent of the places we went to either said ‘no’ or ‘well, there’s one […]
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New Business Listings March 2014
Business Name: Kara’s In Town Grooming & Training Addr: 251 Industrial Dr. City/St/Zip: Chatham IL 62629 Phone: 483-5626 Business Owner(s) Kara Owens Business Name: Suds n Pups Addr: 601 S. Macarthur Blvd. City/St/Zip: Springfield IL 62704 Phone: 217/546-3686 Business Owner(s) Paula Sue Weatherford Business Name: Sala Addr: 6 Florence City/St/Zip: Rochester IL 62563 Phone: 725-8258 […]
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Why Illinois is a great state
By Douglas L. Whitley For years Illinois citizens, especially business owners and managers, have suffered embarrassment over political corruption, higher taxes and fees, chagrin over failed government fiscal policies, frustration with anti-business rhetoric and public employee discontent. Employers have suffered anti-business initiatives by our own elected officials, while governors from other states routinely launch business-poaching […]
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Do I really need a Realtor?
By Michelle Higginbotham, associate publisher Having worked as a commercial Realtor for eight years until coming back to the Business Journal last month, I can attest to the fact that there are more resources available to property owners than ever. At one time a For Sale By Owner listing meant sticking a sign in front […]
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The state of downtown
By Mayor J. Michael Houston Mayor Houston delivered this speech Jan. 22 at the annual Downtown Springfield, Inc., banquet and the Springfield Hilton. It is edited and abridged for the Springfield Business Journal. While the city can boast of many different areas and neighborhoods, there are few as important as our downtown. Today it remains, […]