Schutte said the conversations are a way to get residents more involved in the revitalization process as local organizations work to attract more businesses, housing opportunities and other amenities into Springfield’s downtown.
“They are no longer sitting on the sidelines. We are pulling them into the action. It can only get bigger and better if we bring more people to the table,” he said.
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Presentations will be held every other month, starting today, at various locations in the community, such as Mother Stewart’s Brewery and the John Legend theater. It will include a mixture of live presentations and recordings.
The series is the result of a partnership between several organizations including the City of Springfield, Chamber of Greater Springfield, the Springfield Foundation, the United Way and others.
Those that will speak, either in person or by recording, will include entrepreneurs, developers and heads of non-profits that specialize in the revitalization of small towns and cities across the country.
Some of those who will be featured in the series includes John Reuter, who works with the nonprofit Strong Towns, Emily Talen, a professor at the University of Chicago, and economist Ronald Ferguson.
Schutte said those speakers will be able to give advice on how to boost local revitalization efforts using strategies that have worked in other cities. He said one example of a small community making significant gains in recent years is Bellefontaine.
Its downtown has seen a resurgence in recent years as longtime vacant buildings are being rehabilitated and transformed into new businesses and living opportunities. That development has caught the attention of economic development and business leaders in Clark and Champaign Counties.
One of the people behind that transformation is Jason Duff. He will be the first speaker in the new speakers series. He is scheduled to kick off the series at Mother Stewart’s Brewery, 102 W Columbia St, at 5 this evening.
That event will be co-sponsored by the Gateway Business Group and SpringForward.
Duff is the founder and CEO of Small Nation, a development firm based in Bellefontaine. He said his company has renovated over 30 historic buildings, built 24 loft apartments and started seven eateries in downtown Bellefontaine.
Over the past seven years, Duff estimated that close to 50 vacant storefronts have been restored in Bellefontaine and several other projects are currently underway. Those spots have been filled with coffee shops, a sports bar, a brew pub and several locally-owned small retail stores.
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“I believe that Springfield is ripe for investment and entrepreneur activity. Some very positive steps have already started. More focus on building out the eco system of embracing doers, creators and people who want to start businesses,” Duff said.
Duff said he hopes to share some of the challenges he faced early on and what has been done in Bellefontaine since then. He said as more businesses and living spaces crop up in communities such as Springfield or Bellefontaine, it often attracts more outside investment.
“I am excited to share the lessons and success that we’ve had in Bellefontaine and see that the entire 68 corridor including Bellefontaine, Urbana and Springfield continue to grow as an attractive place to dine, shop and experience,” he added.
HOW TO GO
What: Springfield Speaker Series, featuring Small Nation CEO Jason Duff
Where: Mother Stewarts Brewery, 102 W Columbia St., Springfield
When: 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18
Cost: Free
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