Peoria is a Chick Magnet?

According to the article on the link below.


"Cities such as Birmingham, Ala. and Peoria, Ill. have a higher ratio of women, while Denver and Las Vegas have decidedly more men. "




Who knew?  Maybe we could use this as an economic development tool to attract more men to find our women.


Click to read the article

HP In The News December

Heartland Partnership | Chamber | Peoria Metro | PeoriaNEXT | TransPORT     HP In The News Dec 19, 2011 It has been a very busy December for The Heartland Partnership family of companies.  Take a look at some of the headlines this month regarding our economic imact analysis on the recent Caterpillar investment announcement, a study on Peoria's commercial development process, what we are doing to find skilled workers for open jobs and much much more. Also, keep your eyes open for news from today's ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Cancer Research Center at UICOMP.  EDC: Cat investment to create 564 jobs $260-million is expected to be added to the regional economy due to recent plants announced by Caterpillar. Cat Expansion to Benefit Local Economy The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois says Caterpillar's investment in East Peoria and Decatur is huge news. $260 million huge. CAT Expansion Expected to Bring $260 Million in Local Economy Vickie Clark talks about the economic impact of cat expansion beyond just the initial 300 jobs. New CAT Jobs Create Ripple Effect in Regional Economy Vickie Clark discusses the economic impact of the cat expansion announcement and the trickle effect it will have on the region Cat's recent investments have big impact on East Peoria Caterpillar Inc.'s decision to invest and retool some of its East Peoria facilities is expected to send ripples through the region likely not seen in years. Caterpillar expansion could result in large economic plus The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois says planned Caterpillar expansion announced recently for Decatur and East Peoria will have a huge benefit to the local economy. Peoria area EDC President Vickie Clark says the total annual boost is more than $260 million. Caterpillar growth to boost economy by $260M The Peoria-based Economic Development Council for Central Illinois says the estimated 300 jobs will create more than 200 additional jobs, ... Caterpillar growth a boon to economy The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois in a report Monday said that the new 300 hires will translate into a total of 524 new jobs across the communities of East Peoria EDC Helping Peoria County's Effort To Lure New CAT Plant To Central Illinois The EDC For Central Illinois is assisting Peoria County's effort to lure a new Caterpillar plant to the area.  EDC President Vickie Clark confirmed a proposal is being finalized by Peoria County, requesting CAT build it's new North American Plant here. Peoria County finalizing proposal for Caterpillar As soon as the end of next week, Peoria County could send to Caterpillar Inc. a proposal to locate its new North American plant within central Illinois.   Target and Costco in the Works for East Peoria "An anchor store for any community is huge," says Economic Development Council Public Partner Director Dennis Kief. Haddad's Could Ignite Bigger, Better Economy Haddad's will have an economic impact far beyond just west peoria   . Tri-County Regional Planning Commission hires economic development ... ...hosted by the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois, to discuss how they handle economic development projects and the reasons behind ... Economic Development Expert Approved To Work For TCRPC The private group, the Economic Development for Central Illinois, under the Heartland Partnership umbrella is welcoming Knott…the timing is right to unify. Developers unite in effort to lure new Cat plant to central Illinois As officials at Caterpillar Inc. continue to weigh a decision on where to locate a new, 1,000-job plant in North America, one of the spots asking to be considered is central Illinois.  Caterpillar: Small Step for State in Tax Incentive Package Caterpillar would like to expand in Illinois but adds a lack of stability and predictability with the state makes that difficult. Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce executive Director Rob Parks says tax incentives like those contained in the package should be permanent and available to more businesses. Manufacturing Jobs Readily Available With No Skilled Workers to Fill Positions Anyone who tells you the jobs just aren’t out there, has not spoken with the employers at Excel Foundry and machine in Pekin, Illinois. That company is trying to expand but is having difficulty. Chicago Mayor, Former Obama Chief Of Staff Emanuel To Speak Here A powerful political figure is coming to Peoria early next year give a talk.  And, he only has to travel from his post as the leader of the Windy City to visit here. Chicago Mayor to Visit Peoria Next Year one of the state's biggest political figures is making a special trip to Peoria next year. Chicago mayor to speak at Peoria Chamber of Commerce luncheon ... Chicago Mayor and former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will speak at a Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 7 at the Peoria Civic ... Early Sales Numbers Indicate All Smiles For Local Retailers If the early shopping trends continue, some local stores will see a significant rise in sales figures during the busiest retail time of year. Shopping season off to a good start ... the holiday shopping season, also proved successful, said Renee Charles, director of public affairs and media relations for the Heartland Partnership. ... Integrating Technology Into the Classroom The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Policy Institute brought in Former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise to speak at a luncheon. Governor Wise is now the President of the Alliance for Excellence Education and wants to see an effective application of technology in every classroom.      Chamber Survey on River City Development The city of Peoria needs to make it easier for developers to bring commercial projects, according to a new survey of two focus groups.      Business Leaders Criticize Peoria The chamber conducted a survey of local developers and business owners to find out what they think about the development process. Signs of the times Unfortunately, a Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce analysis on commercial development was completed before a sign sweep occurred in September. Had the analysis occurred after, it might've provided some pretty eye-opening responses.

The Beige Book

WHAT IS THE BEIGE BOOK?

The “Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by 
Federal Reserve District,” report commonly known as the Beige Book, 
is published eight times per year. Each Federal Reserve Bank gathers 
anecdotal information on current economic conditions in its District 
through reports from Bank and Branch directors and interviews with 
key business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources. 
The Beige Book summarizes this information by District and sector. 
An overall summary of the twelve district reports is prepared by a 
designated Federal Reserve Bank on a rotating basis.

Click to Read


http://www.federalreserve.gov/FOMC/BeigeBook/2011/20111130/default.htm


http://www.economicdevelopmentnews.com/

Scoop From Peoria Magazine

News Caterpillar Inc. recently announced plans for significant new investments to its manufacturing facilities in East Peoria and Decatur. The company plans a capital investment of about $340 million for production of large track-type tractors in East Peoria, and nearly $300 million to increase capacity for large mining trucks produced in Decatur. These expansion announcements are in addition to the September announcement of a $200 million modernization project of the East Peoria plant aimed at the export market. The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois uses economic impact modeling to determine the influence that new businesses and jobs can have on the regional economy. Caterpillar reportedly expects these expansion projects to bring an additional 300 jobs to the region. The EDC estimates those 300 jobs will spur an additional 162 indirect, induced and/or support-type jobs outside of Caterpillar, which brings the actual total to 524 new jobs created in the region. The addition of 524 jobs is expected to have a more than $260 million impact annually to our regional economy. On the heels of the new Bass Pro opening, the East Peoria City Council approved a tentative agreement with Cullinan Properties to bring Target and Costco to the new East Peoria/Downtown project. Construction near the proposed site is expected to begin next summer, with openings expected in 2013. The deals have not been finalized, as other agreements must be in place for the project to move forward. Additional details are expected to come in the near-future.   Events Thursday, December 1st @ Morton Community Bank Morton Community Bank presents the 33rd annual Morton Community Christmas Sing from 5:30 to 6:30pm at 721 W. Jackson St. in Morton. Enjoy cookies, coffee, and punch beginning at 5pm. Dana Taufer will lead the group in caroling for the 33rd year, and the John Phillips Oompah Band will provide musical accompaniment. Saturday, December 3rd @ Balance-Herschel House The Junior League of Peoria will host its annual Victorian Christmas Tea, once at 11am and again at 2pm. Guests will learn about the history of the house and Christmas traditions while being served lunch and hearing Christmas music. Call (309) 685-9312 or visitjuniorleagueofpeoria.org for tickets or more information. Saturday, December 3rd @ RiverPlex The 24th annual Jingle Bell Run will take place, with a costume contest at 9am and 5K race at 10am. This is the largeset fundraiser of the year for the Arthritis Foundation. Call (309) 682-6600 or visit jinglebellpeoria.com for more information. Saturday, December 3rd @ Sommer Park The Peoria Park District’s W.H. Sommer Park will present “Christmas on the Ghost Front” from 10am to 4pm. Join World War II vets, historians and re-enactors as the days leading up to the Battle of the Bulge are recreated. This is open to the public and admission is $5/vehicle. Call (309) 691-8423 for details. Saturday, December 3rd @ Peoria Public Library, Main Library The Peoria Public Library will offer two films with discussions in honor of the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. At 10:30am, the new documentary L-Bird: The Little Plane That Did, will be shown, and at 1:30pm, another documentary, December 7th, will be shown. The public is invited. For more information, call (309) 497-2141. Saturday, December 3rd @ Peoria County Animal Welfare Shelter The Peoria Humane Society is hosting a Howliday Boutique and Open House of Peoria County's animal shelter from 11am to 3pm. Visitors can shop for gifts for their pets, tour the shelter, and enter to win prizes. Donations for the shelter are also appreciated. For more information, call (309) 682-9015 or visit peoriahs.org.

Central Illinois Perspective

News Last week, Peoria NEXT announced Grant Brewen as its new CEO. Brewen is currently head of the Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation (BRDC), housed at the USDA’s National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research Lab in Peoria since 1988. He will continue in that position, as well as his new role at the helm of Peoria NEXT. BRDC, under Brewen’s leadership, was one of a dozen anchor organizations involved when Peoria NEXT was formed in 2001. Caterpillar Inc. recently announced plans for significant new investments in its manufacturing facilities in Decatur and East Peoria. The company plans to invest nearly $300 million to increase capacity for large mining trucks produced in Decatur. An additional capital investment of about $340 million is planned for production of large track-type tractors in East Peoria. The company expects the additional truck capacity in Decatur to be installed by 2016. The work to expand large track-type tractor production in East Peoria is expected to be completed by 2015. The Morton Chamber of Commerce announced the development of Leadership Morton, a new local leadership program. Leadership Morton will begin on January 11, 2012, and end on March 14th, meeting weekly from 7:30am to 10am. The program will incorporate leadership skills education and provide a broad understanding of public issues, workings of state and local government, civic challenges, and the role the community and organizations play in problem solving. To register or for more information, go to mortonchamber.org/leadership-morton, or call (309) 263-2491. The Salvation Army held a ribbon cutting last week to open its Veterans Outreach Center. Its staff, with the support of groups like the Veteran’s Outpatient Center, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs, VFWs, and American Legions, will provide services for homeless and at-risk veterans. The Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 to 2pm. For more information, call (309) 655-7272.    Events Thursday, November 17th @ Peoria NEXT Innovation Center NOVUS presents “Protecting Innovation – A Patent Primer,” with Leroy Hagenbuch of Phillipi Hagenbuch, an inventor with over 50 patents. The event takes place from 5:30 to 8pm; $10 admission includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages. To register, visitnovusnetworking.com. Friday, November 18th @ Embassy Suites The public is invited to the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s 36th annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon at 11:45am. The featured speaker will be Ed Rapp, group president and CFO of Caterpillar, Inc., and the annual Tom Connor award for community service will be presented by WestPoint Financial Group. Visitpeoriachamber.org/event/36th-annual-community-thanksgiving-luncheon to reserve your table or seat. Friday, November 18th & Saturday, November 19th @ The Motherhouse A variety of handmade and other items will be available at the annual fall bazaar sponsored by The Sisters of The Third Order of St. Francis. All proceeds will assist the poor. The sales runs Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday, 9am to 2pm at The Motherhouse, 1175 St. Francis Lane in East Peoria (access road #14 off Route 116). Call (309) 655-3897 for info. Saturday, November 19th @ W.H. Sommer Park The Peoria Park District’s Sommer Park will host a Civil War Winter Quarters construction from 10am to 5pm. Living historians in authentic uniforms will use period tools and construction methods to prepare for their winter encampment. Admission is $5/vehicle. Call (309) 691-8423 for more info.    Find us on Facebook....    art & society   |   iBi

Great Squares in Europe

Europeans construct great public spaces.

More on our travels at

http://travelhullinger.blogspot.com/

City of Peoria has a great credit rating. Number 8 in the US.  Congratulations to all those who helped manage the City.

http://blogs.pjstar.com/mindingbiz/2011/10/14/lets-give-peoria-a-little-credit-number-8-in-the-country/