The Hub Springfield

The Hub Springfield Highlighting the innovation, talent, entrepreneurship and community development taking place in the Springfield area

Mathews Family Farm Market offers local goods and a festive atmosphere for all ages, providing a charming community expe...
12/17/2025

Mathews Family Farm Market offers local goods and a festive atmosphere for all ages, providing a charming community experienc https://hubspringfield.com/?p=6042

In Springfield, a city transformed by Haitian immigrants, Casey Rollins says she feels like the “town crier” warning of ...
12/16/2025

In Springfield, a city transformed by Haitian immigrants, Casey Rollins says she feels like the “town crier” warning of a looming family separations crisis. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=6022

Culture Cafe announced this week that it would be transitioning out of its current location at 1010 North Murray Street ...
12/11/2025

Culture Cafe announced this week that it would be transitioning out of its current location at 1010 North Murray Street on Jan. 1. The post announcing the change says customers have until noon on Dec. 31 to visit the shop and use gift cards.

According to reporting from the Springfield News-Sun, the move is the result of an amicable split between the two couples who opened the cafe, Grace and Kenneth Brown, and Jawwad and Tammi Love.

Grace and Kenneth Brown will remain at the 1010 North Murray Street location with the same hours, reopening as Brown’s Cafe in early January. Brown’s Cafe will still offer homemade bread, but Grace told the News-Sun that patrons can expect to see changes on the drink menu.

Jawwad and Tammi Love will retain the Culture Cafe name. They have not yet announced a new location, but are “searching for a new home for Culture Cafe” and encourage customers to check their social media pages and website for future updates on their next steps, “including future ways to shop Culture Coffee online,” according to a Dec. 8 Facebook post.

Culture Cafe opened earlier this year with a shared vision to be a cultural hub for Springfield. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=6017

Clark State College is now the only college in Ohio to offer an associate degree in modeling and simulation engineering,...
12/11/2025

Clark State College is now the only college in Ohio to offer an associate degree in modeling and simulation engineering, approved by the Ohio Department of Education. The program launches in the spring semester of 2026 and is now enrolling for classes, which begin Jan. 12.

“Clark State’s modeling and simulation program is a futuristic new major preparing students for careers in a rapidly growing, high-tech field. Students will learn how to turn real-world situations into digital models, build simulations and use data to help organizations make safer, smarter and more cost-effective decisions,” explains Ron Bolender, Clark State career navigator for modeling and simulation. “Modeling and simulation engineers work in healthcare, aviation, cybersecurity, gaming, national defense, logistics, environmental science, advanced manufacturing and more. This program offers students a pathway to high-demand, high-paying careers across government and commercial sectors, strengthening Dayton’s reputation as a hub for technological innovation.”

According to JobsEQ, modeling and simulation starting salaries average $47,000, with higher pay for advanced degrees. Regional demand is high due to the number of manufacturing firms and defense contractors connected to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Because the region is home to many manufacturing firms and defense contractors linked to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Clark State collaborated with key industry partners—including the Air Force Research Lab, NASIC, Infinity Labs and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—to build a curriculum that prepares students to step directly into high-demand careers.

“Clark State’s associate degree is an important step in building the region’s talent pool. Modeling and simulation skills are critical for developing future military technologies, AI systems and advanced innovations,” said Nick Marquart, co-founder and chief technology officer of Infinity Labs.Classes start Jan. 12 and financial aid is available. To enroll, visit clarkstate.edu. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=6014

One week after the federal government announced it officially terminated Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS), some ...
12/09/2025

One week after the federal government announced it officially terminated Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS), some residents say their city faces a “humanitarian crisis.”

https://hubspringfield.com/?p=6002

United Way of Clark, Champaign, and Madison Counties announced the appointment of Springfield native Chad Wilson as its ...
12/02/2025

United Way of Clark, Champaign, and Madison Counties announced the appointment of Springfield native Chad Wilson as its next executive director. Wilson steps into the role with nearly 20 years of nonprofit fundraising and community engagement experience.

This week, the United Way of Clark, Champaign, and Madison Counties announced Chad Wilson as its new executive director. Wilson, a Springfield native, comes to the organization with nearly 20 years of nonprofit fundraising and community engagement experience.

“Chad’s deep local roots and ability to convert mission awareness into active engagement will serve United Way’s mission well,” says Christian Holfinger, president of the UWCCMC board of directors.

Wilson’s career includes serving as a marketing account manager for Big Fish Local, where he led client engagement and brand storytelling for local businesses. He also owned Seven Wing Creative in Springfield, serving as executive producer and overseeing media development and live event production for both nonprofit and commercial clients throughout the region. Earlier in his career, he was a soldier in the Ohio Army National Guard and a State Wildlife Officer for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, before returning to college to study media production at Middle Tennessee State University. This blend of practical leadership, creative strategy and service-oriented experience shapes his approach to community work.

“I’ve lived and worked in all three counties (Clark, Champaign and Madison) and look forward to expanding my network in each,” Wilson says. “My first priority is to study the strategic plan closely alongside the board and staff to make sure I’m conducting the organization on the ‘sheet of music’ this trusted team is already playing from, before we make any changes.”

Wilson emphasized the importance of building accessible pathways for community engagement, especially for local businesses, employees and youth.

“I believe in creating clear on-ramps for people to serve,” he says. “Generosity is contagious, and in these challenging times, the national call-to-action of ‘United is the Way’ is more important than ever.”

Wilson also hopes to elevate awareness of United Way’s local impact across the three-county region.

“I have found that people want to give locally to help their neighbors thrive; however, many are not aware of the vital role United Way plays in facilitating a trusted path to do so,” he says. “With strong storytelling, strategic digital outreach and relationship building across our communities, I want to help our team make our mission easy to understand and inspiring to support.”

Wilson lives in Springfield with his wife, Rachel, and their two sons, Burke and Reed.

The appointment follows the departure of longtime UWCCMC Executive Director Kerry Pedraza in August. During the search process, UWCCMC’s director of community impact, Natalie Driscoll, served as interim executive director.

“We are grateful to Natalie for her steadfast guidance during this time of transition,” says Holfinger. “She ensured organizational continuity and maintained focus on key community initiatives, and we are grateful for her willingness to step up and serve.”

To learn more about United Way, visit uwccmc.org. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=5955

The Grand Illumination on Nov. 28 kicks off Holiday in the City – a five-week celebration of the holiday season in Sprin...
11/26/2025

The Grand Illumination on Nov. 28 kicks off Holiday in the City – a five-week celebration of the holiday season in Springfield. Kristina Jarrell, downtown events programmer for Greater Springfield, estimates the event draws in anywhere between five and eight thousand people.

“It’s something that people come from far and wide to be here for,” she says. “We light the whole downtown is lit up with lights, and it's the parade, and it's Santa, and the ice skating rink. It’s a very Hallmark moment.”

Roads between Columbia and High Street are shut down and most of the activities happen around City Hall, the Esplanade Fountain Square and Foundation Avenue.

Festivities start at 5 p.m. as the ice skating rink, ferris wheel, and food trucks open. Jarrell says they’re also bringing in a new surprise ride for this year’s Grand Illumination. Santa’s Parade begins at 6 p.m., followed by the Grand Illumination at 6:30 p.m. and a fireworks and drone show at 7 p.m.

During the parade, Santa will arrive on a firetruck and light the community Christmas tree. The tree is donated by a local resident each year. This year, it was donated by Jerry Numbers. Jarrell describes it as a “beautiful, 40-foot, greeny-blue spruce.” Through donated labor, CNS Tree Services, Dan’s Towing and Kapp Construction work together to harvest, move and set up the tree downtown.

After Santa lights the tree, he’ll be waiting at the Heritage Center’s Enchanted Forest from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to meet and take pictures.

If the unpredictable Ohio weather is too much, the State Theatre is also offering a special live performance by The Weekend Effect starting at 7:30 p.m. There is a $5 cover at the door.

All of this is just the beginning of Holiday in the City. The following five weeks are jam-packed with holiday events, cheer, and special activities.

The ice skating rink at City Hall Plaza, which costs $5 per person, will remain open Thursday through Sunday until Jan. 4, including for a special Christmas Eve skate. The Enchanted Forest: A Winter Wonderland at the Heritage Center, which is free to visit, will be open on Thursdays and Saturdays until Dec. 20.

SantaCon takes over Mother Stewart’s Brewery on Dec. 13 from 3-10 p.m., followed by Todd Stoll’s “A Swinging Big Band Holiday” on Dec. 14 from 7-10 p.m.

More information on Holiday in the City events can be found on Greater Springfield’s social media pages. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=5938

Haitian individuals and families, who fled violence in their homeland and settled in Springfield, are in a vulnerable po...
11/20/2025

Haitian individuals and families, who fled violence in their homeland and settled in Springfield, are in a vulnerable position. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=5929

The Bushnell Building, a historic structure in downtown Springfield, has been renovated to hold space for offices, resta...
11/20/2025

The Bushnell Building, a historic structure in downtown Springfield, has been renovated to hold space for offices, restaurants, and events under the supervision of James Lagos. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=5919

“We’re excited to be able to provide a space to make sure that people are safe and people are warm this winter. We’re gr...
11/13/2025

“We’re excited to be able to provide a space to make sure that people are safe and people are warm this winter. We’re grateful for the collaboration with Aaron and the Nehemiah Foundation because without them, we don’t have the staff to handle that kind of thing.”

Celebrating 20 years, the Westcott Gala on November 21 will feature Melissa Galt, the great granddaughter of Frank Lloyd...
11/13/2025

Celebrating 20 years, the Westcott Gala on November 21 will feature Melissa Galt, the great granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright. https://hubspringfield.com/?p=5883

Address

101 S. Fountain Avenue
Springfield, OH

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Hub Springfield posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Hub Springfield:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Focusing on what's next for Springfield, Ohio

The Hub Springfield focuses on the innovation, talent, entrepreneurship and community development taking place in the greater Springfield community; and, features the work of local talent - writers, journalists, thought leaders and photographers.

Each issue you'll see stories highlighting innovative entrepreneurs, talented people, dedicated organizations and devoted community builders.