Posts

Posted on

A Great Article on How Richard Spanton Jr Brought Tech Life to Beloit

http://www.wkow.com/story/24982502/2014/03/Friday/booming-it-industry-in-beloit

 

BELOIT (WKOW)–  Out with the old in with the new is the theme going on in downtown Beloit. City leaders and developers are working to renovate several buildings in downtown as they work to attract new businesses to the city.

One building in particular, the IronWorks building, is drawing all sorts of attention. It’s giving Beloit residents some much needed hope that their long economic nightmare may be coming to an end.

“We sort of have that old and new mix now with our software company being here,” AccuLynx owner Richard Spanton Jr. says.

AccuLynx, a software development company that provides businessmanagement software for specialty trade contractors, is bringing it’s own unique style to a building in downtown Beloit that’s well over a 150 years old.

“My grandfather actually worked in this building for 42 years at the Beloit Corporation,” Spanton says. “It has always been a special place for me.”

For nearly 150 years, the Beloit Corporation built printmaking machines in the IronWorks building along the Rock River. At its peak the company employed more than 2,000 people, but like many manufacturing companies in Beloit they were forced to close their doors in the early 2000’s.

The once empty 750,000 square foot facility is now being used as the starting point for a booming IT industry that is starting to take off.

“We have 30 employees right now. Our target is within five years to have 100 employees,” AccuLynx Director of Operations Lynn Foster says.

AccuLynx isn’t the only new technology company in town. Several others including Fat Wallet and Comply 365 have found a new home in this industrial setting.

“There’s nothing more comfortable for a company to come into. They can talk to a similar company that has done the same thing and ask for them what was the good, what was the bad, what was the ugly,” Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Timothy Dutter says.

Not only are Dutter and other chamber officials happy to see a new industry thriving in the city, but they’re especially excited because many of the companies bring in money from outside the community. Most industries like retail simply circulate money within a community, but IT companies are known for having customers spread out across the country.

The unemployment rate in Beloit is slowly recovering from it’s low point of 17.7% in 2009. According to Department of Workforce Development, the city’s unemployment rate is now sitting around 9.6%. It’s still the second highest in Wisconsin amongst major cities, but the numbers are definitely showing signs of improvement.

“We want to be a part of the future of this little area here. It’s becoming sort of a technology or engineering hub,” Spanton says. “I think it’s going to be a really good thing for Beloit and I’m hoping to attract other software businesses.”

AccuLynx software started five years ago in Rockton Illinois, but owners decided to relocate to Beloit because they needed more space and were given several tax incentives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

internet

internet

 

Posted on

My Mom’s Surprise Birthday – Richard Spanton Jr

fullsizeoutput_11761.jpeg
Richard, Chrissie, Saundra and Rich 3/31/18

My Mom Turning 60 by Richard Spanton Jr.

“No one will ever know the strength of my love for you. After all, you’re the only one who know what my heart sounds like from the inside.”

You go through life with your parents thinking they will never age.  Lately I am starting to realize even more how special our time with our parents is. My mom turned 60 (I know she doesn’t look like it) this past weekend.  She is an amazing woman and truly molded me into the person I am today. After planning her surprise party I started to think what will our next twenty years be like?  Will we spend all our holidays together?  Take vacations, create experiences?  I think all of the above.  Spending quality time with my family is my number one priority. Especially my parents.  So here is to the next years of your life Mom.  Let us make them the BEST years to come! I love you Mom, and you too Dad, so much. – Richard Spanton Jr

 

 

Posted on

Facebook Friend or Foe – Richard Spanton Jr

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/12/15/facebook-just-admitted-that-using-facebook-can-be-bad-for-you.html

Thinking hard about social media and it’s effects on society lately.   Facebook being one of the worst.  I have a Facebook page that is literally just sitting there.  https://www.facebook.com/richardspantonjr  – I do not engage in any posts or rants.

My love-hate relationship with Facebook came when I wasn’t feeling good after being on it. Seeing all the time wasted on it too. Looking at others posts about things that really don’t matter, their opinions and all the materialistic issues some people have.  Then I started my research and it was staggering.

According to CNBC: “University of Michigan students randomly assigned to read Facebook for 10 minutes were in a worse mood at the end of the day than students assigned to post or talk to friends on Facebook,” the blog post said. “A study from UC San Diego and Yale found that people who clicked on about four times as many links as the average person, or who liked twice as many posts, reported worse mental health than average in a survey.”

Not only that.  There is a “Keep up with the Jones'” type attitude when it comes to social media.

Positive mental health, actual socialization and physical relationships with friends  and family is where I want to be, not in cyber space.

 

Posted on

ole’ blue eyes

ole' blue eyes

I just love this photo. I think you can see Fletcher’s kind and compassionate soul through his brilliant blue eyes. I just know he is going to change the world for the better. As a father my job is to provide him a path and guidance along the way.

Posted on

Richard Spanton Jr On Organic Farming

Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie planted a 5,000 apple tree orchard in 2008. This orchard is fully organic. “I don’t want to put anything bad in the ground that I could potentially eat or breathe”, says Richard Spanton Jr. “Now that I have a toddler, it all makes more sense too.”

Posted on

Richard Spanton, Jr. proudly announces the next addition to the Orchard Ridge Farms project, The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms. – Richard Spanton Jr

 

Richard Spanton, Jr. proudly announces the next addition to the Orchard Ridge Farms project, The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms.

Located in tranquil, rural Rockton, Illinois, this beautiful event facility is a unique addition to the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin area. With the ability to hold over 400 people in total comfort, it is quickly becoming the premier reception showplace of the Stateline area.

The Pavilion is drawing attention from near and far and is fast developing an impeccable reputation for elegant and sophisticated weddings and receptions, in addition to the ultimate facility to host corporate events.

The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms boasts the latest in audio/video equipment to showcase your next product development power point presentation or an artful montage to highlight special events. No detail has been overlooked in creating this special venue; it is truly a “one-of-a-kind” facility, filled with rustic and sophisticated elegance.

Orchard Ridge Farms is situated on 130 acres of rolling hills, flowing meadows, serene woodlands and waterways. In addition to The Pavilion, Orchard Ridge Farms is home to The Copperstone Inn, a luxury inn, and a 130 acre private estate.

For further information, please contact Orchard Ridge Farms at 815-629-2220. Additional information can be found at http://www.orchardridgefarms.com.

Posted on

Richard Spanton Jr is featured on Bob Vila

Copperstone Inn | Richard Spanton Jr (Built 1858 Est. 2008)
By: Richard Spanton Jr

Copperstone Inn in November 2007 (entire home is natural local limestone)
Restoring an 1850’s limestone home and adding 7000 SF http://www.copperstoneinn.com

Our project started in July, 2006 with an old Limestone Farm house built in 1858 with an addition from early 20th century. My wife and I embarked on a journey of hard work, learning and patience. Of course my wife will tell you that I have absolutely no patience but am the hardest worker she knows. I think I have gained an understanding of patience now though. As you follow the project, you will understand. There is so much to go over, so if your interested, be patient and hang on for the ride.

We will start out from the beginning and a little story about us. My wife and I have this dream of living on a farm and raising our yet to be born children. We are in our early 30’s and own a construction company. We decided to buy a home and a 60 acre parcel of property in my hometown Rockton, IL in 2005. Our original goal was to have an apple orchard and pumpkin patch along with raising alpaca and horses. This is still a main priority but was sidetracked due to the Inn project. So after being in our house for about a month, I realized there was this quaint yet masculine Limestone home next door. While driving by the home one day in Dec 2005, I said to my wife, ” You know if that ever sells, we have to buy it”. The next week there was a sign in the yard “For Sale by Owner”. It was fate, but the problem was that I was saying that for 5 years down the road. Well, not to lose out on an opportunity we bought the place So at this point, we owned 2 homes within 500 feet of eachother and had to come up with an idea of what to do. Well, I wanted to restore the old home no matter what. I have always loved the old Limestone solid structures of the 19th century and before. Our town Rockton has probably 100 homes and businesses. So my wife says, “What now?” I said, “I don’t know, lets build a Bed and Breakfast, to go along with our Apple Orchard”. Time lapse 2 years and we are here, in the 4th quarter as I say. We are almost finished with the project and cannot wait until it is done. We hope to be done by April, 2008 and open this Summer once landscaping is done. Enough rambling, lets get to the project.

Thanks for your interest.

Richard Spanton Jr.
Owner

Posted on

Richard Spanton Jr Richard Spanton Rockton, Illinois 61072

About Richard Spanton Jr

Richard Spanton Jr was born in Beloit, WI. Richard Spanton Jr grew up playing ice hockey for the Beloit Blades and the Madison Capitols. “I played hockey since I was 3 and football in high school. I am also married to the most incredible woman, Chrissie Spanton, plus I own my own national construction company called Mastercraft Exteriors”, Richard Spanton Jr

Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie built the most luxurious Bed & Breakfast, Copperstone Inn to be part of their future plans of having a working apple orchard and pumpkin patch at their farm, Orchard Ridge Farms…[more]

Richard Spanton Jr was born in Beloit, WI. Richard Spanton Jr grew up playing ice hockey for the Beloit Blades and the Madison Capitols. “I played hockey since I was 3 and football in high school. I am also married to the most incredible woman, Chrissie Spanton, plus I own my own national construction company called Mastercraft Exteriors”, Richard Spanton Jr

Richard Spanton Jr and his wife Chrissie built the most luxurious Bed & Breakfast, Copperstone Inn to be part of their future plans of having a working apple orchard and pumpkin patch at their farm, Orchard Ridge Farms. Richard Spanton Jr also owns an elk farm with his father, GBM Elk Farm.

Richard Spanton Jr does not rest and is completely dedicated to everything he puts his mind to.

Richard Spanton Jr entrepreneurship and leadership skills began at a very young age. Richard Spanton Jr would plant pumpkins in the summer and sell them on the side of the road in the fall. He now grows pumpkins at his farm in Rockton, IL completely organically.

Richard Spanton Jr. owns and operates a successful roofing, siding and gutters company, Mastercraft Exteriors, but having one flourishing business is not enough for such an ambitious man. One of the other “projects” that Richard Spanton Jr. works on is Golden Bear Monarchs Elk Farm, which was established in 2003. Richard Spanton Jr. . runs this elk farm together with his father Richard Spanton Sr. and his mother Saundra Spanton. Richard Spanton Jr wife, Chrissie Spanton, also plays a crucial role with this and the other business ventures he is involved in.

The elk that belong to Richard Spanton Jr. and his family’s elk farm are able to roam across 180 acres of lush pasture in beautiful Southern Wisconsin. Richard Spanton Jr., Richard Spanton Sr. and Saundra Spanton have grown herds of 9 to 90 elk with the addition of numerous world class genetics over the last five years. This has enabled the Golden Bear Monarchs Elk Farm to receive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place awards in various hard antler classes at the annual NAEBA international antler competition. This is a great source of pride for Richard Spanton Jr. and his family.

The experience that Richard Spanton Jr. has amassed since childhood has prepared him well for this project, since his family has raised pigs, cattle and grain for several generations. And Richard Spanton Jr., Chrissie Spanton, Richard Spanton Sr. and Saundra Spanton are not the only ones who have had a hand in this business – it’s a true multigenerational family affair. Even grandpa Dave Spanton helps with the farm on a daily basis and Richard’s brother Matt Spanton lends a hand with seasonal projects such as cutting antler, calving, and building fences.

Other projects that Richard Spanton Jr. works on include his own Orchard Ridge Farms and his soon to be completed Copperstone Inn, both of which are adjacent to he and wife Chrissie’s property. And he still manages to be successful with everything he touches, even with his hands in so many projects.

The Copperstone Inn is primarily a project of Richard Spanton Jr. and his wife Chrissie, since the bed and breakfast lies only 500 yards away from their home in Rockton, Illinois. Richard Spanton Jr. is all about family business, though, so his mother Saundra Spanton will be aiding in the day to day operations management of the inn as soon as the finishing touches on the renovations are complete. Family business is nothing new to Richard Spanton Jr., as he helps run an elk farm in Wisconsin with his father Richard Spanton Sr., his mother Saundra, his brother Matt and his grandfather Dave.

Saundra Spanton will be assisting Richard Spanton Jr. and Chrissie Spanton in one of the most important aspects of running this bed and breakfast – creative inspiration for the food. Since Richard Spanton Jr. believes that his mother is one of the best cooks he has ever witnessed in his life, he jumped at the chance to hand the responsibility of Saundra’s Cookery over to his mom. This will allow her to share some of her magic with the people who come to the bed and breakfast. Richard Spanton Jr. couldn’t be prouder.