Downtown groups to share one location

DDEC.net is now an official tenant of the area it works to promote.

The nonprofit organization, whose purpose is to promote dining and entertainment in downtown Springfield, moved into space at 306 McDaniel St. on Nov. 10.

The space is being subleased from the Urban Districts Alliance, said Matthew Miller, DDEC.net executive director. The UDA also has office space in the same building.

Comprising 19 downtown-area bars and restaurants, DDEC.net was originally formed as the Downtown Dining and Entertainment Commission, a subsidiary of the Downtown Springfield Association, about four years ago.

About two years ago, it became a separate organization, Miller said.

Until now, it has been run from three separate locations, Miller said.

"The idea is to get all the different nonprofits working under one roof to affect downtown in positive ways," Miller said. "Most events downtown we have a hand in. There are about 12 events a year. The goal is to bring new and more people downtown."

Miller said the organization might be adding additional staff.

DDEC.net has two full-time employees and recently added Greg Abel as the organization's marketing director.

"We're a very young organization," Miller said. "We've grown at a tremendous rate," he added, pointing out that the group had just one part-time employee a year ago.

"We feel like we grow at the same rate as downtown; we mirror downtown," Miller said.

If inquiries about new restaurants are an indicator, there is likely more growth to come for downtown Springfield and for DDEC.net.

"We have gotten more calls from restaurants in the last six months than can be fairly listed, that's for sure," Miller said.

For more information about the organization and upcoming events, visit www.ddec.net.