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Low interest rates drive consumer spending – Home and auto sales at record levels, despite unemployment, uncertainty
By Holly Whisler The phrase “these unprecedented times” has been overused this year, yet still rings true. When the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to near zero in March, the area economy responded. Consumer lending – specifically, home and auto loans – gained momentum over the summer months, despite high levels of unemployment and uncertainty […]
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Springfield Chamber announces Small Business Award winners
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted the 35th Annual Small Business Awards on Oct. 21 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. The 28 nominees attended the event in person while nearly 200 people viewed the event virtually. The event recognized four outstanding community entrepreneurs in the following categories: Jordan Powell of Illinois Primary […]
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Funds are still available through the Business Interruption Grant program to assist businesses and nonprofits that have experienced losses due to COVID-19.
The state of Illinois’ Business Interruption Grant (BIG) application remains open as funds are still available to assist businesses and nonprofits that have experienced losses due to COVID-19. The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Aly Grady from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Team RED to bring a technical assistance […]
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Lawmakers probe barriers to Black business development. Access to capital, state contracting cited as significant hurdles.
By PETER HANCOCK, Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Black-owned businesses in Illinois face significant barriers to growth and opportunities that would enable them to compete with their white-owned counterparts, a problem that many Black leaders say is directly tied to Black unemployment rates and the deterioration of Black neighborhoods. That was the message state lawmakers heard […]
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Public policy forum to be held on Lincoln Land Energy Center project
The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance is adding new fuel behind proposed plans for the Lincoln Land Energy Center (LLEC). The development is a proposed 1,090-megawatt natural gas-fueled combined-cycle facility located just south of Pawnee in Sangamon County. A recently updated economic impact study, completed by Northern Illinois University, indicates the project will generate $1.53 billion in […]
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Carter’s Fish Market offering free Asian carp meals on Saturday
Free meals of Asian carp will be offered at nine locations across this state this Saturday, Oct. 17, including at Carter’s Fish Market, 1900 S. Grand Ave. East from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Owner Clint Carter will prepare and serve Louisiana-style Asian carp hush puppies drizzled with a Remoulade sauce. Beginning Oct. 21, The Barn, 1501 […]
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New corporate and general aviation facility dedicated at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
Airport officials, community leaders and aviation stakeholders held a dedication on Oct. 15 to commemorate the opening of the new corporate and general aviation facility at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield. “Today, we officially opened a new and modern facility that will serve as the front door to our community for years to come,” […]
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Managing remote employees and virtual sales
With many employees continuing to work from home for the foreseeable future, some business owners are struggling to manage virtual employees. In addition, the sales process has often transitioned to a virtual one. If you’re frustrated by navigating the nuances of this new virtual reality, join Bob Barber and his special guest, Michael Billington, for […]
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Kinton Friend joins the Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities
Kinton Friend is the new executive director of the Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities, located at 2005 W. Lawrence Ave. in Springfield. She started her new role on Sept. 21 and relocated from Kansas City, Missouri, where she had served as an administrator for a nursing facility specializing in skilled care. Friend was born and raised […]
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Collaborative activism and Black economics webinar
Forefront, a nonprofit that provides resources, training and support for other nonprofit organizations, is offering a free webinar on “Collaborative activism and Black economics” on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. One of the long-standing effects of institutional racism in the United States has been a challenging economic outlook for the Black community. This […]
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Serving and improving Springfield’s business community
By Catherine O’Connor Springfield lost two community-minded entrepreneurial giants, Louis Myers and Arnold Stern, within the first week of September 2020. Though Stern and Myers were three years apart in age, they were lifelong friends who had much in common, beginning with primary education at Butler Elementary School followed by graduation from Springfield High School, […]