In early 2006, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce called together leaders from business, government and labor to discuss how the community should focus on the economic health of the Sangamon County area. They agreed a comprehensive approach to address future challenges and opportunities was needed. They committed to fully engage in funding and working together to accomplish their vision of:

Goals:

Retain and Create Jobs:
4,500 new and retained primary jobs

Redirect Development Policy:
Infrastructure decisions that drive smart growth

Improve Minority Participation:
Cut minority unemployment by half

Develop Education and Workforce Excellence:
Local employers prevailing in their markets with workers of excellence

Capture and Create Emerging Economic Opportunities:
Dynamic leadership in the transformation of the local economy