SBJ intends to relocate

Springfield Business Journal is planning to relocate in the near future, though the publication's new home hasn't yet been cemented.

A for-lease sign has gone up outside of SBJ's current office at 2101 W. Chesterfield Blvd., Ste. B105. The listing has an asking lease rate of $6,515 per month for the roughly 3,900-square-foot office, said Jennifer Jackson, who owns SBJ and the building. 

SBJ Publisher Marty Goodnight said the publication intends to move around the beginning of 2026. He's currently viewing potential office spaces, with the goal of finding a spot that "will reflect our focus on adaptability and smart growth."

"We’re making the intentional choice to put our current building on the market first before making any commitments on a new location," he said. "That timeline gives us the runway we need to transition thoughtfully and set the stage for a strong year."

Goodnight said the publication currently has a long-term lease for the Chesterfield Village office with Jackson. Goodnight is scheduled to purchase SBJ from Jackson in 2026 as part of a transition announced in late 2023. 

"She recognizes this as a strategic opportunity for me to reduce costs and start 2026 in a strong position," Goodnight said. "Her flexibility has made this transition viable."

Jackson said she purchased the Chesterfield Village building for $625,000 in 2024 after originally holding a lease on the property.

SBJ has operated in Chesterfield Village since 2019 after relocating from its longtime home in downtown Springfield. Established in 1980, SBJ previously operated in a building on Park Central West since 1996. 

Goodnight said SBJ's planned relocation amounts to a "reinvestment."

"We want to shift resources from real estate into our newsroom, our digital tools and the strength of our event portfolio," he said. "The business model is evolving – and our space needs to evolve with it. This decision helps us put more emphasis on impact and sustainability."