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Council approves $250,000 Growth Alliance addendum after heated debate over minority-focused subcommittee
Summary
Springfield City Council voted 10-0 to approve a one-year $250,000 addendum with the Springfield Sangamon County Growth Alliance, adding a requirement to create a Minority Business and Community Advancement working council and setting aside $50,000 to support that work. The Growth Alliance board must still vote to accept the amended contract.
The Springfield City Council on April 15 approved Addendum 7 to its contract with the Springfield Sangamon County Growth Alliance, extending the city’s annual payment by $250,000 for a one-year period and adding a clause directing $50,000 of that amount toward a new Minority Business and Community Advancement working council.
The addendum passed on final vote 10-0 after nearly two hours of discussion and an amendment offered by Alderman Sean Gregory to require the Growth Alliance to create a working council focused on small-business support, East Side and downtown outreach, and minority contracting. Gregory moved the amendment; Alderman Williams seconded it. Corporate counsel told the council the Growth Alliance’s board must also approve the contract amendment before the city’s payment obligation is final.
Why it matters: The Growth Alliance is the public–private economic development organization the city funds to attract and retain employers, market the region and support business retention. Council members said they…
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