One Information Session Remains for Hub Café Opportunity

Sangamon County is inviting entrepreneurs and food service operators to learn more about an opportunity to open and operate a café inside the future Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Hub, which is scheduled to open in downtown Springfield in 2027.

To support interest in the project, the county is offering incentives aimed at lowering barriers for new and growing businesses, including access to a basic commercial kitchen and the potential for subsidized rent and utility costs.

One informational session remains for those interested in learning more about the café space within The Hub, program expectations and the request for proposals process. Prior informational sessions were recorded and are available for review.

The remaining session is scheduled for Monday, July 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Cap 1908, located at 1100 South Grand Avenue East. Virtual attendance will also be available through Zoom.

Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter said the county’s goal is to use the café space as a way to support entrepreneurship while creating long-term economic opportunities across the community.

“Our hope for this space is to help an entrepreneur establish their business at The Hub and then grow to the point where they can move out into the community at another location in Sangamon County, creating room and opportunity for the next entrepreneur to do the same,” Van Meter said.

The request for proposals is available through the county’s website. Potential applicants are encouraged to submit questions regarding the proposal process to SangamonCountyProcurement@kindconsulting.org by June 30.

County officials said all submitted questions and responses will be compiled and posted publicly on the county website by July 6.

Under the planned selection process, a community advisory committee will review and score proposals, invite finalists to participate in interviews and make a recommendation later this fall. Negotiations would then continue between the advisory committee and the selected vendor before final approval is considered by the Sangamon County Board.

The county’s current timeline calls for the café to open alongside the Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Hub in fall 2027.