The Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M. has purchased a building on Wabash Avenue to serve as a new headquarters for freemasons statewide. While the Grand Lodge was already based in Springfield, the new building is more than double the size and gives them a more visible presence. “We had looked several years back […]
Newsletter – Biz Bites
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Legislation passes to help BOS Center expansion
A bill recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly increases the likelihood a proposed $93 million expansion of Springfield’s convention center will become reality, a state lawmaker says. “I do think this project is something that will really benefit and save the downtown,” state Rep. Mike Coffey, R-Springfield, told Illinois Times on June 3. House Bill 3144, […]
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Building permits – June 3 – June 9
FICSSYSTEMS INC received a commercial remodel permit for 820 Converse St. Contractor is FICSSYSTEMS INC and the project is valued at $15,000. HSHS St. John’s Hospital received a commercial remodel permit for 800 E. Carpenter St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $1.48 million. Cobblestone Place LLC received a commercial remodel […]
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LLCC offering Small Business Leadership Development Bootcamp
Lincoln Land Community College Continuing, Corporate and Professional Education will offer a Small Business Leadership Development Bootcamp beginning September 2024 running through February 2025 on the LLCC campus, 5250 Shepherd Rd., Springfield. LLCC’s program provides core leadership development training aimed at reducing employee turnover and improving leadership and effectiveness for small businesses. Participants chosen for […]
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Olivia Lohse joins Springfield Chamber
Olivia Lohse has joined the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce as its Young Professional Program Manager. In her role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the RISE Springfield program and provides support to its executive committee and various subcommittees. Lohse attended University of Illinois Springfield, majoring in communications. Before joining to the Chamber of Commerce, […]
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Lawmakers further regulate carbon dioxide pipeline development
After state regulators rebuffed several proposed carbon transport projects over the past year, lawmakers have moved to formally ban new projects until the federal government sets forth new safety rules. The technology is used to take carbon dioxide – a powerful greenhouse gas – and move it through pipelines before storing it deep underground. While […]
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Indiya’s Consignment Boutique opening in Capital City Shopping Center
The upcoming opening of Georgia Jalivay’s new business, Indiya’s Consignment Boutique, will bring her full circle. “I did retail sales for 25 years. When I was fresh out of high school I sold clothes, then later GMC trucks and cars, all sorts of things,” said Jalivay. “After all the sales, I went and worked for […]
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Building permits – May 27 – June 2
Computer Banc received a commercial demolition permit for 1527 N. 11th St. Contractor is GreenTrac, LLC and the project is valued at $46,535. Township Officials of Illinois, Risk Management Association received a commercial fence permit for 3217 Northfield Drive. Contractor is Johnco Construction and the project is valued at $6,700. Richard H. Syverson received a […]
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Developing more housing downtown
Construction of a 136-unit, market-rate apartment complex in downtown Springfield will commence in the fall, the New York company spearheading the almost $29 million project told Mid-Illinois Medical District commissioners on May 23. “We’re really excited about it,” Victor Salerno, chief executive officer of Adirondack Community Development, told commissioners in a Zoom call updating the […]
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High expectations
The small-scale, $8 million marijuana cultivation center expected to open in June on Springfield’s northeast side would be the largest site of its kind in the state, and perhaps the nation, to produce beverages infused with cannabis and hemp oil. So says Christopher Stone, a Springfield-based cannabis entrepreneur and managing partner of CoPack Industries, 3451 […]
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Fairgrounds Café opens on Peoria Road
Fairgrounds Café has opened at the site of the former Jungle Jim’s Café, which was a landmark on the north end and Route 66 for more than three decades before closing in January 2023. Jack Ahmedi and Buka Nuhiji purchased the property at 1923 Peoria Road in August and have extensively remodeled it. The couple had […]
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Frito-Lay distribution center slated to be built in Springfield
A distribution center employing 150 to 200 full-time workers at a warehouse the size of almost four football fields would be built along Interstate 55 near the Chatham exit, based on a proposal Springfield zoning officials will consider June 20. Local economic development officials told Illinois Times they don’t yet know who would operate the […]