Sandra Gray has been hired as senior executive for the 518 Collective, an agriculture technology business incubator operated by Sandburg in downtown Galesburg.
Gray will lead strategy, business development and relationship-building for the incubator, working to attract entrepreneurs, business partners, investors, sponsors, grant funding and community collaborations. She also will recruit startups, develop programming and help create workforce and educational partnerships.
Gray spent the last decade working in advancement at Knox College, including serving as assistant vice president since 2022. She began her new role last week.
The 518 Collective, pronounced “five eighteen,” is named for Sandburg District No. 518. The incubator will provide workspace, business development services, workforce training, mentorship and networking opportunities for individuals and early-stage companies.
Sandburg received a $1.8 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity last summer to create the incubator at the former Sandburg Annex, 209 E. Main St. Renovation work is expected to begin this summer, and the 518 Collective is expected to open in early 2027.
