Economic Development Projects

The Springfield and Sangamon County community is currently involved in significant economic development projects that will provide direct and/or indirect benefits to our area. While many projects must remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the business, we're excited to share details regarding these projects: 

 Sangamon County Broadband

The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance (SSGA) is soliciting information from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to partner with SSGA and Sangamon County to expand broadband to the rural parts of the county that are considered not served or underserved (speeds less than 100/20 Mbps). The RFI and digital files below provide more details about what we are seeking. The broadband feasibility study provides an in-depth analysis of the existing market and potential grant areas.

Questions regarding the RFI must be submitted to Abby Powell by April 8, 2024.

Final submission is due by 2 pm on April 30, 2024.

Resources:

  Lincoln Land Energy Center

Lincoln Land Energy CenterThe development is a proposed 1,090-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle facility located just south of Pawnee in Sangamon County; approximately 20 miles south of Springfield. An updated economic impact study, commissioned by the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance (SSGA) and completed by Northern Illinois University, indicates the project will generate $1.53 billion in economic output during construction and will create more than 1,000 direct and secondary jobs.

LLEC Fact Sheet (PDF)  |  Press Release

More information is available on the project's website: https://emberclear.com/lincoln-land/

 Springfield Rail Improvements Project

The Springfield Rail Improvements Project will relocate all passenger and freight traffic from the Third Street corridor to Tenth Street; construct grade separations (roadway underpasses and one overpass) at the critical rail
crossings on both the Tenth and Nineteenth Street corridors; and eliminate train horns in the City between Stanford Avenue and Sangamon Avenue.

More information is available on the project's website: http://springfieldrailroad.com/

 Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center

The Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center will combine SMTD buses, Amtrak, intercity buses, paratransit vehicles, and taxis at one location with an adjacent parking garage. The goal is to promote public transit use and provide improved service to current riders by reducing travel time, relieving congestion, and improving access. Also, it is hoped that having one transportation center will stimulate transit-oriented development around the proposed site and enhance growth along the Tenth Street corridor.

SJ-R news story

More information is available on the project's website: https://sangamonil.gov/thehub

  Downtown University Presence

The SSGA strongly supports the concept of creating a significant downtown Springfield higher education university presence and will continue to work with the universities and property owners who would be affected to finalize a plan which would benefit the entire community.

 Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe

The Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe is a 95-acre development that would include flexible, multi-use indoor and outdoor facilities as well as space for family entertainment. The proposed 150,000-square-foot indoor space would include courts for basketball and volleyball and turf space. The 46-acre outdoor space would include diamonds for baseball and softball as well as fields for sports like soccer and lacrosse.

Project website

Project Overview Slides (PDF)

SJ-R new story