Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – What had been known in the past as “Innovate Springfield” is moving from Old State Capitol Plaza, to space inside Horace Mann’s corporate headquarters downtown.
According to a news release from both Horace Mann and the University of Illinois Springfield, UIS has signed a two and a half year lease to use space in the Horace Mann building. It will be for what is now known as the “University of Ilinois Springfield Innovation Center.”
The center, described as a business incubator, will have 9,800 square feet of space, up 3,000 from the Old State Capitol Plaza location.
“This strategic relocation will enable us to bring more people into our innovation ecosystem, including students, faculty, corporate partners, civic organizations and entrepreneurs,” said Robert Kerr, UIS executive director of innovation and opportunity, in a news release. “It will be the first step in growing the UIS Innovation Center toward its full vision as a space to drive innovation, economic growth and workforce development throughout Illinois.”
Horace Mann has unused space in their headquarters, open since 1972, because they continue to allow employees to conduct hybrid work. The company says that allows them to support an improved work-life balance.
“Innovate Springfield is playing a vital role in our community, and we’re proud to share our campus to support its continued growth,” said Don Carley, executive vice president and general counsel for Horace Mann, also in a news release. “This move will allow the UIS Innovation Center to expand and expedite its great work—helping new businesses grow, turning research into real products and preparing people for the jobs of tomorrow.”
“Innovate Springfield” first formed in 2014, becoming part of UIS in 2018, and it says it supports 50 member employers that are responsible for some 280 jobs.
Other terms of the lease agreement were not disclosed.