Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance

Small Business Skill Share Event - September 22nd, 2026 Join the Illinois SBDC for Central Illinois, Illinois Local and Innovate Springfield for a fast-paced morning. Gain actionable tools for success. Your time is valuable, so we packed four essential business growth pillars into one session.

Nominations are open through Oct. 1 for the 64th Springfield Area First Citizen Award, which recognizes individuals whose extraordinary volunteer service and commitment have made a significant and lasting impact on Springfield and surrounding communities.

Article link in comments.

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity is coordinating a “Grantee 101” workshop on Wednesday, September 30th at the Lincoln Library in Springfield.

This free workshop, led by their Office of Accountability, will guide attendees through the grant processes required by DCEO.

Don't miss this valuable opportunity for any business interested in pursuing grant funding!

Register today! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/ahYiJGetxR

To every sponsor and partner supporting our 100th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, we are truly grateful for you!

For 100 years, we’ve been able to empower communities, create opportunities, and change lives because of supporters like you. Your belief in our mission helps make everything we do possible.

We’re excited to see you all on September 12th at the Bank of Springfield Center as we celebrate 100 years of The Movement with a special performance by 13-time GRAMMY® Award winner Babyface!

Join us for a Public Open House about the 19th Street Rail Corridor Feasibility Study in Springfield. Learn more about potential improvements, connect with the project team, and share your feedback!

Wednesday, September 9, 2026
4–6 PM
Washington Middle School
2300 E. Jackson St., Springfield, IL

It was a great turn out for our Citizens Club of Springfield presentation this morning. Thank you to all those who attended. Thank you also to the Citizens Club for inviting us to share some insights into our economic development efforts for Springfield and Sangamon County.

Springfield’s transportation infrastructure plays an important role in our community’s growth and economic future. 🚆

SSGA encourages residents and businesses to attend the upcoming 19th Street Rail Corridor Public Open House to learn more, ask questions and—most importantly—share your input.

📅 Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 4–6 p.m.
📍 Washington Middle School

Your perspective can help shape the future of our community.

Join us for a Public Open House about the 19th Street Rail Corridor Feasibility Study in Springfield. Learn more about potential improvements, connect with the project team, and share your feedback!

Wednesday, September 9, 2026
4–6 PM
Washington Middle School
2300 E. Jackson St., Springfield, IL

People often ask what the SSGA does—or what “economic development” really means.

A significant part of our work happens through conversations: meeting with local business owners, employers, government officials, utility partners and community leaders to understand their needs, identify opportunities and build trust. Those relationships help us respond quickly, solve challenges and connect the right people when opportunities arise.

This article from Area Development offers a great example of why that work matters. Data, infrastructure and available sites are essential in site selection—but strong, trusted relationships can help bring opportunities to the table and move projects forward.

Economic development rarely happens overnight. The relationships behind it are built over time.

Read more: https://www.areadevelopment.com/corporate-site-selection-factors/q3-2026/why-relationships-still-win-projects-in-site-selection.shtml

Why Relationships Still Win Projects in Site Selection - Area Development Economic development is often described as a data-driven process. RFIs are issued. Responses are scored. Sites are ranked. Incentives are compared. A winner emerges.

Attention grantseekers! DCEO’s Office of Accountability is hosting a virtual training session covering the first step in the grant process: pre-qualification. Learn the steps to become pre-qualified, a requirement of all grantees with the State of Illinois.

📅Wednesday, September 2
9-10 a.m.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Rajnrp