In 1978, a group of local investors headed by Roy Baker, Wayne Baker and Glen Brandt began Springfield Plastics, Inc. With a background in agricultural drainage, Wayne insisted that the company produce products that would stand up to the demanding farm-drainage market. His experience from the early days of plastic drainage pipe also reinforced the […]
Special Issues
Posted inSpecial Issues
Springfield YMCA
The YMCA of Springfield was formed in March of 1874 and initially operated in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. The organizers saw a need to provide reading rooms and meeting spaces to young men as an alternative to drinking establishments. Many people today know the YMCA as a gym, a pool and a […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
HSHS St. John’s Hospital
HSHS St. John’s Hospital is celebrating 150 years of service by the Hospital Sisters, whose mission has always been to care for the sick and the poor. In November 1875, five Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis arrived from Germany at the request of Bishop Peter Joseph Baltes of the Diocese of […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
15 Under Fifteen – 2024
This is the 22nd year that Springfield Business Journal has partnered with United Community Bank to recognize 15 outstanding small businesses in the local area. To qualify, a business must be located in Sangamon or Morgan county, have been open for at least two years and have 15 or fewer full-time employees. A business is […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Phoenix Collision
Established: 2006 Owners: Matthew Milkint and Tressa Hartman Employees: 12 Services: automotive, storage units Siblings Matthew Milkint and Tressa Hartman began Phoenix Collision in 2006 following the tornadoes that hit Springfield. “Matthew was working for Bill Mathew Auto Body when the tornado came through Springfield,” Hartman said. “Upon learning they would take a year […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Pilates Studio of Springfield
Established: 2006 Owners: Kirsten Wright and Tara McAnarney Employees: 11 Services: fitness center Pilates Studio of Springfield is a full-service Pilates studio offering individual and group instruction. Co-owners Kirsten Wright and Tara McAnarney have been running the studio for more than 18 years. They currently employ 11 instructors, eight of whom are full-time. “We have […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
RE/MAX Professionals
Established: 1986 Owner: Jim Fulgenzi Employees: 8 Services: real estate “RE/MAX Professionals has been serving Springfield and the surrounding counties since 1986 and has been a consistent recipient of various prestigious production awards for decades,” said Jim Fulgenzi, who joined the company as an agent in 1995 and became the owner-broker in 2021. “We maintain […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Rose Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic
Established: 2021 Owner: Cori Jahns Employees: 4 Services: medical spa Cori Jahns opened Rose Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic in September 2021. The idea was born from a vision to provide personalized care in a more intimate setting. “After years in conventional medicine, I realized that the fast-paced environment often prioritized efficiency over meaningful patient […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Solid Rock Youth Transitional Services
Established: 2022 Director: Marscia Anderson Employees: 5 Services: nonprofit Solid Rock Youth Transitional Services started in 2022 under the leadership of Marscia Anderson, who comes from a family of social workers. “I went to my mom, who’d worked as a social worker, and told her I wanted to provide housing and supportive services for youth […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Springfield Art Association
Established: 1910 Director: Betsy Dollar Employees: 11 Services: nonprofit The Springfield Art Association was created in 1910 as The Springfield Amateur Art Study Club. The club drew more than 100 members rather quickly. “There was a great deal of interest in the arts and the power of the arts to improve society overall,” said […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Storyteller Studios
Established: 2013 Owners: Josh and Andrea Hester Employees: 7 Services: video production Josh and Andrea Hester, owners of Storyteller Studios, opened the business in 2013 with a simple goal of creating videos that tell real stories and make a difference. “After years of working in documentary film and corporate marketing, I saw the power of […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Established: 1869 President: Mike Murphy Employees: 7 Services: business advocacy The roots of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce go back to 1869 when the Springfield Board of Trade was founded. The GSCC has been a driving force for the local business community, as it is committed to enhancing member success and advocating for […]