The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance (SSGA) is celebrating a landmark year in terms of economic development and new partnership opportunities for the region. SSGA, which was formed four years ago with the goal of advancing economic development efforts in Springfield and Sangamon County, played an instrumental role in pushing forward several significant community projects including the Land of Lincoln Energy Center (LLEC), Double Black Diamond Solar, which will be the largest solar development in Illinois, SCHEELS Sports Park at Legacy Pointe and Riverton TA Truck Stop. These four projects alone, are estimated to create an economic impact of over $1 billion to the region over the next five years.
Two years ago, SSGA launched the region’s first-ever community marketing campaign, THRIVE IN SPI, with the goal of using that initiative to support the area’s overall strategic economic growth.
“As the region’s economic development leader, our focus has always been to provide Springfield and Sangamon County with a unified plan of action for business growth and development while serving as a resource to our business community,” said Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance CEO Ryan McCrady. “In a nutshell, our goals are to attract new businesses and workforce opportunities to this area, encourage and support growth among local businesses, and ignite community pride by highlighting all this area has to offer. We still have more work to do, but it’s gratifying to see the success we’ve had so far.”
Over the past year, SSGA also helped secure the NextSite agreement, with the goal of turning empty buildings back into thriving businesses. The alliance is actively working in support of other redevelopment projects such as the Pillsbury Mills site and is collaborating with other community partners such as the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
In addition to economic development efforts, SSGA also developed and unveiled new web-based tools called Inside Track, Internships and Find A Job which are designed to assist HR professionals and businesses in finding and retaining top talent and help those searching for employment, find the right opportunities.
As SSGA continues to grow, it also added a new addition to its staff in 2021. Abby Powell was hired as its first Director of Business Development. Previously serving as the City of Springfield’s Economic Development Operations Coordinator and TIF Manager in the Office of Planning and Economic Development, Powell brings nearly 15 years of economic development experience to the position.