Decaying Pillsbury mill in Illinois that once churned flour into opportunity is now getting new life – A.P.

  Holiday lights blaze from the headhouse of the former Pillsbury Mills in Springfield, Ill., on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. While awaiting funding and authority to demolish the factory and redevelop the site, the nonprofit Moving Pillsbury Forward has ginned up interest in the history and future of the plant, including installing the lights. Chris Richmond, president of Moving Pillsbury Forward, said the lights “bring an energy to the site that has not been there for years. (They) bring with them a message that something positive is happening.” The mill operated under Minneapolis-based Pillsbury and another owner for 71 years but has been vacant nearly a quarter-century. (AP Photo/John O’Connor)Minneapolis-based Pillsbury built the Springfield campus in 1929 and expanded it several times through the 1950s. A bakery mix division after World War II turned out the world’s first boxed cake mixes. Now, a nonprofit called Moving Pillsbury Forward has a five-year, $10 million plan to raze the century-old plant and renew the 18-acre site in Illinois’ capital city into a leisure destination verging on cultural phenomenon.
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Ex Illini
2 years ago

Interesting article and kudos to the people heading up this initiative. It speaks to the American spirit. It would be nice if current Pillsbury owner General Mills made a contribution to the cause to help out. Or perhaps a local Illinois billionaire.

Last edited 2 years ago by Ex Illini

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