Springfield Workshop, In (SWI) is a private not-for-profit corporation operating a sheltered workshop for Springfield and Greene County.

The purpose of Springfield Workshop, Inc is to provide meaningful employment for people with disabilities. We do sub-contracting work for many local manufacturing companies. Our employees have proven they would rather earn money using their abilities than be given money for their disabilities.

In 1957, a group of parents began what was to eventually become Springfield Workshop, Inc. These dedicated individuals began in a n older house that had been donated and volunteers who provided projects for those first employees.

In 1965, important government legislation gave birth to vocational opportunities for people with disabilities. The 73rd General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 52, which established the Extended Employment Sheltered Workshop programs. The law directed the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Section of Sheltered Workshops, to assist communities, which demonstrated an interest in providing extended employment for their citizens with disabilities. A year later, a Manager was hired, and Springfield Workshop, Inc was born.

!n 1972, a new 30,000 square foot Workshop facility was built to accommodate the increase in employees and to provide a clean, new facility from which to operate. A 15,000 square foot warehouse was later added to the structure. In 1992, the existing warehouse was converted to production area and a 25,000square foot warehouse was added.

Springfield Workshop, Inc has experienced vast changes in the last 40 years. We have gone from 12 employees and 1 project to approximately 230 employees and subcontracting work with many of the major manufacturing companies in Springfield and the surrounding area. Our employees now do all types of packaging work, precise labeling, simple assembly, and collating to name a few. Many of our employees have moved on to competitive jobs in the community, a very positive trend that we hope continues.

Springfield Workshop, Inc is a place to be proud of. It is a successful business, respected in the community and known for the fine quality of work produced. This success can be attributed to the efforts of many concerned parents, dedicated staff, and most of all to the hard work and cooperation of the employees of Springfield Workshop, Inc.