Fairgrounds Café will open soon 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. “We’re still in the process of […]
Newsletter – Biz Bites
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Building permits – Dec. 18-Dec. 24
Sangamon North LLC % SLK Global Solutions America received a commercial remodel permit for 1873-1979 Sangamon Ave. Contractor is James Construction and the project is valued at $850,000. Memorial Health System received a commercial remodel permit for 701 N. First St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $4.998 million. Hedley Plaza […]
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Eagle Golf and Grill opens
Eagle Golf and Grill, a public golf training facility with a full-service restaurant and bar, has opened on Springfield’s west side. The location at 3941 Pintail Drive includes fivegolf simulator bays, a 1,200-square-foot indoor putting and chipping green and a training area for students, in addition to the restaurant and bar. Jim Lee co-owns the […]
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HSHS hires new CFO
Hospital Sisters Health System has announced Michael Scialdone will join the system’s executive leadership team as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective Jan. 8, 2024, and oversee system financial services. “Michael brings over three decades of health care finance and operational leadership experience along with a faith-based mindset that will support our mission […]
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Rail improvement project delayed
Completion of Springfield’s rail improvement project will be delayed beyond 2025 because the project failed to secure $138 million in funding from the federal government. Springfield and Sangamon County backers of the years-long project had hoped 2025 would be the last year of construction on the massive project to alleviate rail congestion in the city’s […]
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Building permits – Jan. 15 – Jan. 21
LLD RE LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3451 Lumber Lane. Contractor is LLD RE LLC and the project is valued at $1.6 million. Jackson Properties LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 4501 Alex Blvd. Contractor is Michael Von Behren Builder, Inc., and the project is valued at $380,115. White Oaks Plaza LLC […]
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Quinton Wadkins joins Heartland Bank and Trust Company
Quinton Wadkins has joined Heartland Bank and Trust Company as a commercial lender for Heartland Bank’s Springfield market. Wadkins, who has six years of experience in the banking and financial services industry, has worked as a mortgage department supervisor, a trust investment officer, loan officer and a general financial services representative. He most recently worked […]
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Postal problems
For Tonia Morrell, the U.S. mail is a lifeline. But the 51-year-old disabled woman living on Springfield’s north side is finding that lifeline is becoming frayed. For the past three months, her Social Security check has arrived several days late. “I’ve called down there to the post office and said, ‘Hey, I’m looking for my […]
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Building permits – Dec.11 – Dec. 17
Madison Park Place Ltd Partnership & SHA received a commercial remodel permit for 1405/1406 E. Mason St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $300,000. Friedman Real Estate LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3251 Ginger Creek Drive, Suite A. Contractor is Joyner Construction Services Inc. and the project is valued […]
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Elmada Meek rejoins Conn’s Hospitality Group
Elmada Meek has rejoined the management team for Conn’s Hospitality Group, Inc., as the new brand ambassador and marketing manager, effective Dec. 1. Meek has worked with global brands such as Holiday Inn, Renaissance and Crowne Plaza hotels, and has extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Meek will help bridge the gap between the individual ventures […]
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Alliance Community Bank expanding Springfield presence
Alliance Community Bank is expanding its Springfield presence with a new location in the works on the far west side. “We feel like we have some name recognition in the Springfield market already,” said John Leinberger, president and CEO of Alliance Community Bank. He noted that the bank, which is headquartered in Petersburg, has had […]
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Scheels Sports Park development on track
Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe remains on track to be fully operational by spring 2025 on Springfield’s south side despite recent questions from City Council members about the way public money will flow to the project and the viability of private financing scheduled that will cover half of the total $67 million in costs. […]