Economic Development

Kraft celebrates 75 years in Springfield, invests $100 million in facility Earlier this month, the Kraft Foods manufacturing facility in Springfield celebrated 75 years of business in the community and 60 years at its current site. Kraft also announced that it is investing approximately $100 million at the Springfield site, which is being used for…

Springfield’s entrepreneurial ecosystem garners national attention As a community, Springfield has taken deliberate steps to build its entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Already known for start-ups that have become national brands—Bass Pro Shops, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation, Jack Henry & Associates—the Springfield region has long been supportive of entrepreneurs,  but a renewed focus is helping the…

Chamber takes big steps toward attracting new business When a company like T-Mobile or Expedia chooses to open a new facility there is an incredibly competitive and relatively unknown process that they go through before choosing the new location. That process starts with site-selection consultants. Similar to how a talent scout will investigate and work…

Chamber checks in with past 1MC presenters Since 1 Million Cups launched in February, 17 startups have presented their ideas to the community of entrepreneurs, mentors and advisors. We decided to check back in with a few of the past presenters to see how 1 Million Cups has helped to grow their businesses. Granolove After…

Local entrepreneurs connect via 1 Million Cups What would happen if entrepreneurs across the nation had 1 Million Cups of coffee together? That’s the question a group of local entrepreneurs are trying to answer as part of a national program that builds startup communities over cups of coffee and conversation. 1 Million Cups, created by…