SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Springfield Project's Community Access Project (CAP 1908) received over $1.6 million secured by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13). The money is just a portion of the $136.1 million going to projects in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District from the House of Representatives' Community Project Funding. 

The Springfield Project is located at the corner of South Grand and 11th Street, and was recently named part of a new cultural district by Governor J.B. Pritzker. Right now, the program acts mostly as a business incubator, providing spaces, and resources for entrepreneurs.

"The Springfield project is focused on creating positive social and economic change right here in our community, and I'm hopeful that this federal investment will make a real difference," said Budznski. "And knowing the leaders behind me, I have absolutely no doubt that it will."

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This includes housing two office spaces for businesses to work out of, as well as laptop bays. The Springfield Project also has programs for members of the community of all ages, educating them about businesses, taxes, and other concepts. 

With the new funding, CAP 1908 will purchase the two buildings directly East of their existing space. These are the Madison Furniture Company and Walsh Studio of Stained Glass. These facilities will open the doors for new programs to start. 

"The expansion has three phases," said Dominic Watson, President of the Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Project. "One is our innovation center and co-working space, the second is our culinary incubator and shared kitchen space, and then the anchoring investment is going to be our Cultural and Performing Arts Center."

Watson said the Springfield Project is set to close on the two properties in the next month. They hope to complete the first project, creating the kitchen space, within the next year. 

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