Creating more affordable and market-rate housing, developing areas currently set aside for surface parking and catering more to walkers and bicyclists are among scores of suggestions in a newly released master plan for downtown Springfield and the Mid-Illinois Medical District. The costs of those suggestions aren’t included in the 278-page document, the first-ever long-term plan […]
Articles
Posted inArticles
UIS students win $10K in business pitch competition
A group of five University of Illinois Springfield students won $10,000 in seed funding for their startup business, TredBase, during a pitch competition hosted by Innovate Springfield on Oct. 28. The competition featured three entrepreneurial teams pitching innovative ideas. Kayode Ojedele, CEO and co-founder of TredBase, describes it as “a global edtech solution focused on […]
Posted inArticles
Veteran bankers weigh in on current trends
Lingering inflation, higher-than-desired interest rates and an upcoming election are just a few issues influencing the willingness of consumers to borrow money. On the other side of the coin, bankers are combatting epic proportions of fraud and navigating a commercial lending market that has been shaped by the pandemic. Mark Vance, regional president and senior […]
Posted inArticles
Banking on change
Security Bank of Springfield is seeking approval from the federal government to change its ownership structure so that it is owned by investors rather than by the financial institution’s depositors. A recent bank filing with federal regulators also indicated the financial institution is deeply involved with state-licensed cannabis businesses. Bank president and CEO Stephan Paul […]
Posted inArticles
Rail project receives final piece of federal funding
Construction on the only overpass in Springfield’s rail improvements project is expected to commence in early 2025 after federal officials announced $157 million in final grant funds. The federal allocation, announced by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, and by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Hoffman Estates, also will help pay for construction […]
Posted inArticles
Meeting the financial needs of a multigenerational workforce
A recent survey found that 78% of U.S. employers say their workers are financially stressed, as compared to 71% in 2023. Meanwhile, survey findings also show that employers are continuing to feel the squeeze financially with the increased costs of benefits, worker retention and recruiting. PNC Bank released findings from its second annual Financial Wellness […]
Posted inArticles
Accounting firm closing after more than a century
The accounting firm of Estes, Bridgewater & Ogden has been in business since 1918, but the current partners are getting ready to go their separate ways. “It’s a culmination of a lot of things, but lack of staffing is the biggest piece of it,” said partner Lori Milosevich. “Public accounting has taken a hit over […]
Posted inArticles
Makers on the Move
“People may have no idea what’s made right in their backyard,” said Sarah Hartwick, vice president of education and workforce policy at the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “The purpose of the Makers on the Move bus tour is to bring awareness and celebrate modern manufacturing in Illinois – the incredible products that are made and careers […]
Posted inArticles
Q&A with Brian Barstead
Brian Barstead graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and biology and initially worked for HSHS St. John’s Hospital in hematology. He met his wife Nancy there, and the couple has now been married 41 years. They reside in Rochester and have one adult son, Alex. After receiving an MBA […]
Posted inArticles
Banking on change
Security Bank of Springfield is seeking approval from the federal government to change its ownership structure so that it is owned by investors rather than by the financial institution’s depositors. A recent bank filing with federal regulators also indicated the financial institution is deeply involved with state-licensed cannabis businesses. Bank president and CEO Stephan Paul […]
Posted inArticles
Makers on the Move
“People may have no idea what’s made right in their backyard,” said Sarah Hartwick, vice president of education and workforce policy at the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “The purpose of the Makers on the Move bus tour is to bring awareness and celebrate modern manufacturing in Illinois – the incredible products that are made and careers […]
Posted inArticles
15 Under Fifteen reception and awards ceremony Oct. 24
Join Springfield Business Journal and United Community Bank from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, for a reception and awards ceremony honoring the 2024 15 Under Fifteen small business award recipients. The event, which will be held at UCB’s headquarters at 1900 W. Iles Ave., is open to the business community at large, in addition […]