In recent years, a diverse cross-section of community leaders has laid the foundation for Greater Peoria’s economic future with the creation of a comprehensive, regional economic development strategy. This collaborative effort assembled representatives from the public and private sectors to harness the region’s assets and develop a sustainable talent pipeline.
In addition to building a strategy for regional water resources, the Workforce Alliance was created to develop the region’s skilled workforce. It is bringing together employers and workforce training providers, including community colleges, to create training programs to meet the needs of both existing companies and startups.
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council is charged with implementing the region’s economic development strategy. The EDC drives economic growth through targeted business assistance and attraction, workforce development and regional marketing.
Working closely with these groups is the Greater Peoria Business Alliance, which rallies the community around large, complex projects; works to cultivate a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem; and helps to bridge the funding gap for promising community ventures. Comprised of the CEO Council and Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, it has been responsible for major successes over the last decade, from the Peoria Riverfront Museum to the Cancer Research Center at the College of Medicine.
The century-old Peoria Area Chamber includes more than 1,000 businesses large and small, while the CEO Council is comprised of over 60 regional business leaders focused on numerous quality-of-life initiatives. The CEO Council laid the foundation for the Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria, formed last year to spearhead the transformation of downtown Peoria.
Continuing on its path of project-driven initiatives, the CEO Council recently launched our projects aimed at making Greater Peoria a ore vibrant community. These include:
