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The Real Story Behind Site Selection, Growth, and Economic Development.

Why do some communities attract new businesses while others don't? Is it tax incentives? Politics? Luck? Or is there something more?

Join Ryan McCrady, President, and Abby Powell, Director of Economic Development, from the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance for an engaging, behind-the-scenes look at how Springfield and Sangamon County compete for jobs, investment, and long-term economic growth. Discover what companies and site selection consultants actually look for when choosing a location, why one site may be selected over another, and how factors like infrastructure, workforce, transportation, utilities, available land, and quality of life all play a role in the decision-making process.
 
The presentation will also explore how Springfield and Sangamon County market themselves to prospective employers, the critical role of supporting existing businesses in our economic success, highlighting how business retention and expansion efforts are just as important as recruiting new ones, and how partnerships between the public and private sectors help position our community for future success.

Art @ the Market provides a free weekly, make-it, take-it art/craft activity to the public each week. Our activity booth will be at the Bloomington Farmers' Market (near the intersection of Jefferson and Center Streets). This activity is for youth to the young-at-heart adult. Our volunteers will be there to help with the activity which will take about 15 minutes. Drop by during the scheduled time to participate. If the weather is poor, the activity will be held in the lobby just outside our gallery in the Monroe Center.

GRIEFSHARE grief recovery and support group will meet at the Parish Hall at Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield. The fall session will begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and meets weekly for 13 weeks. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics including "Is This Normal?," "The Challenges of Grief," "Grief and Your Relationships," "Why," and "Guilt and Anger." Thanks to a grant from Thrivent Financial, the workbook fees for this session will be waived.
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required to ensure there are enough materials for everyone.
For more information or to pre-register, please call 217.899.9418 or register at trinitygriefshare@yahoo.com.

Art @ the Market provides a free weekly, make-it, take-it art/craft activity to the public each week. Our activity booth will be at the Bloomington Farmers' Market (near the intersection of Jefferson and Center Streets). This activity is for youth to the young-at-heart adult. Our volunteers will be there to help with the activity which will take about 15 minutes. Drop by during the scheduled time to participate. If the weather is poor, the activity will be held in the lobby just outside our gallery in the Monroe Center.

Sign up for a plant sketching class led by local artist and educator Belinda Beccue. You will have the opportunity to learn techniques that capture details which bring your sketches to life. This is an opportunity to bring home your own work of art, that you create, influenced by our unique Central Illinois habitat. There are ten spots each day, totaling only 40 open spots to join. Supplies are included and you will bring home materials to continue to fill the provided sketchbook! Make sure to reach out to Eric Mollahan at ericmollahan@landconservationfoundation.org and reserve your preferred day and time now - it's only $20 to attend.

Sign up for a plant sketching class led by local artist and educator Belinda Beccue. You will have the opportunity to learn techniques that capture details which bring your sketches to life. This is an opportunity to bring home your own work of art, that you create, influenced by our unique Central Illinois habitat. There are ten spots each day, totaling only 40 open spots to join. Supplies are included and you will bring home materials to continue to fill the provided sketchbook! Make sure to reach out to Eric Mollahan at ericmollahan@landconservationfoundation.org and reserve your preferred day and time now - it's only $20 to attend.

GRIEFSHARE grief recovery and support group will meet at the Parish Hall at Trinity Lutheran School, 515 S. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield. The fall session will begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and meets weekly for 13 weeks. GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics including "Is This Normal?," "The Challenges of Grief," "Grief and Your Relationships," "Why," and "Guilt and Anger." Thanks to a grant from Thrivent Financial, the workbook fees for this session will be waived.
This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required to ensure there are enough materials for everyone.
For more information or to pre-register, please call 217.899.9418 or register at trinitygriefshare@yahoo.com.

Art @ the Market provides a free weekly, make-it, take-it art/craft activity to the public each week. Our activity booth will be at the Bloomington Farmers' Market (near the intersection of Jefferson and Center Streets). This activity is for youth to the young-at-heart adult. Our volunteers will be there to help with the activity which will take about 15 minutes. Drop by during the scheduled time to participate. If the weather is poor, the activity will be held in the lobby just outside our gallery in the Monroe Center.

Calling all crafters, artists, paper crafters, up-cyclers, DIYers, fiber artists, needle workers, and quilters, to the CRAFTERS’ TREASURES SALE!  You’ll have your choice of a vast array of reusable materials for arts, crafts, education, and beyond. All items are donated by our members. Fill-a-bag for $20 cash!
Sale drops to just $10 a bag for the final hour 2:00-3:00 p.m.
 
Sale Date: Saturday, September 12th, 8 am-3pm, at Springfield Ceramics and Crafts Club, 2626 Pasfield, Springfield, IL 62704.

Sign up for a plant sketching class led by local artist and educator Belinda Beccue. You will have the opportunity to learn techniques that capture details which bring your sketches to life. This is an opportunity to bring home your own work of art, that you create, influenced by our unique Central Illinois habitat. There are ten spots each day, totaling only 40 open spots to join. Supplies are included and you will bring home materials to continue to fill the provided sketchbook! Make sure to reach out to Eric Mollahan at ericmollahan@landconservationfoundation.org and reserve your preferred day and time now - it's only $20 to attend.