E-Newsletter, September  2015

GROW IN THE GP GARDEN
 
Helping small businesses grow into bigger businesses is something any economic development organization hopes to do. As businesses grow, they create jobs, add taxable space, purchase more stuff and become a bigger engine for their regional economy.

The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council is launching a new program this fall that is all about growing our own. Economic Gardening identifies small businesses eager to grow and offers them critical strategic information that is customized to their needs. This information can be key to propelling the company to its next phase of growth.

Economic Gardening is not about connecting small businesses with support institutions or helping them with their operations, workforce development or tax credits. It is, instead, about leveraging research using sophisticated business intelligence tools and databases that growth companies aren't aware of or can't afford.


Cunningham Candies Expands in Minonk
GPEDC Expansion Project Spotlight 
 

Cunningham Candies, a candy company that has operated for over a century in Minonk, recently expanded into a 3200 square foot building in the community.

Sisters, Christie Ruestman & Cindy Meyer, had been in business together for 22 years when they bought Cunningham Candies. As the third owners of this locally celebrated establishment, they slowly grew into an operation that was functioning out of separate and inadequate buildings around town.

Last Spring, Ruestman and Meyer knew they were ready for a major expansion and they knew they needed to bring the operation together under one roof. They process over 150,000 apples during autumn, which has prevented them from making any other candies during those months. Their existing facility was also inadequate for receiving bulk ingredients in the quantities needed by the growing business.

Learn More >

GREATER PEORIA EDC ANNOUNCES $3.9 MILLION GRANT AWARDED TO APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council announced their CICESS Apprenticeship Program, as part of the Illinois Advanced Apprenticeship Consortium (IAAC), has been awarded a federal grant from the United States Department of Labor. The grant application was submitted by the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA) Education Foundation on behalf of the IAAC this past spring. In total, there were 47 awards nationally. The announced award is $3.9 million to support both the ICATT (Northern Illinois Consortium for Advanced Technical Training) and CICESS (Central Illinois Center of Excellence for Secure Software) apprenticeship programs, as well as other programs under the IAAC umbrella.
 

STARTUP PEORIA JOINS GPEDC
Last month, the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council announced Startup Peoria will become a permanent part of their organization. 

"We are honored to become the home for such a valuable initiative," said Jennifer Daly, CEO for the Greater Peoria EDC. "Startup Peoria has generated programs, partners and a grassroots movement envied by many regions. We are eager to help them continue to grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem in a way that will attract innovative businesses and people to Greater Peoria."

WELCOME BRENT BAKER

 
Please help us welcome Brent Baker, our new new Peoria Pathways Coordinator.

Baker grew up in Brimfield, Illinois and attended Bradley University. He recently completed two years as a LISC Americorp Service Member with the Peoria Housing Authority.  During his time with PHA, Baker developed an award winning program assisting Taft Home residents in attaining their CNA Certification at Illinois Central College.

In his new role, Baker will be helping middle and high school students in the Peoria Public Schools prepare for and secure work-based learning opportunities in our region through the Peoria Pathways to Prosperity (PP2P) initiative.


FIND YOUR SECURE SOFTWARE DEVELOPER!

The development of high quality jobs and a trained talent pool for local employers are important components of our regional economic development strategy. The Greater Peoria EDC is excited to introduce their new program called Central Illinois Center of Excellence for Secure Software (CICESS). CICESS aims to build a local workforce of trained secure software development professionals through an apprenticeship model.

CICESS is an Apprenticeship Program developed by local employers in partnership with Illinois Central College. This program was created by local employers concerned about the availability of secure software development professionals in our region.

To learn more about CICESS, join us for our next CICESS Informational Meeting on Friday, September 18 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the GPEDC Office.  More Information and Registration.

GREATER PEORIA RECEIVES $50,000 
SBA STARTUP IN A DAY PRIZE


The City of Peoria's commitment to help & grow startup businesses received a boost after receiving notice of a $50,000 award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of SBA's inaugural competition. "On behalf of the City, I want to thank the SBA for the grant," said Mayor Jim Ardis. "We look forward to transforming the way we serve our business community to help entrepreneurs startup and grow their business" he added.

The "Startup in a Day" initiative is a collaboration between the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Startup Peoria, & the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. Designed to assist entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses within 24 hours, this program addresses two key obstacles that businesses often cite; obtaining permits & licenses and finding business development resources. This initiative also includes a focus on developing minority-owned business enterprises


TEAM GP SPOTLIGHT:  
CESAR SUAREZ

Between his three children, his wife, and a move from Galesburg to Peoria, Cesar Suarez' life is bustling with activity. Every other summer, Cesar and his family make their great escape in a road trip across America. His favorite place to visit is the Western United States; his kids prefer fun in the sun in Florida. Yet after every new journey, he always returns home to his greatest adventure in Greater Peoria as Senior Development Specialist for the City of Peoria. Here, he sees a future for our community and a plan to make that future our reality.

The United States has 50 states, 5 major territories, 3.8 Million square miles, 320 Million people, and 73,097 pizza stores (our country's true mark of greatness). Among America's 39,044 cities and local governments, what makes Greater Peoria stand out? Cesar Suarez thinks its Peoria's riverfront, thriving culture, central location, and convenient size.

"Peoria has the amenities of a big city and the charm of a small town."



TOP C.E.D.S. PROJECTS ANNOUNCED



The Greater Peoria EDC manages a federal designation through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) called an Economic Development District. As a part of our designation duties, the GPEDC leads the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for our region every five years. That document is critical, acting as a virtual gateway for receiving federal grants for regional projects and strategies. Every federal agency asks the same question when receiving a grant application..."is it in your CEDS?"

We are preparing to submit our next CEDS, "Focus Forward", to the federal government by the end of this year. In addition to our regional economic development strategies, the CEDS will include a list of key projects that are aligned with our goals. After an extensive review and scoring process, the following 14 projects made the top of our list:
 
1. Madison Block Development   The Kim Group
The Kim Group has proposed the re-development of Main and Madison with entertainment venues and office space, renovation of the Madison Theater, and the development of a multi-use facility with residential units, office space, entertainment, retail venues, and parking space.

2. Methodist College Expansion and Relocation   Unity Point Methodist Proctor
Methodist College is in the process of renovating a building located at 5801 West War Memorial Dr. for a significant expansion. The new facility will include college classrooms, training laboratories, a library, faculty offices, support space, and other uses. The renovation is valued at $17.0 million. Adjacent to the main facility, a 56,100 square foot building will be developed by a private developer for Student Housing.

3. Fresh Food Hub   Gifts In The Moment Foundation
The GITM Foundation's Fresh Food Hub regional project seeks to support healthy eating, growth of the small farmer community, resource coordination within an improved food system, and growth of green job opportunities. The Food Hub rests on 10 acres of deeded land, located 4 miles east of the intersection of I-74 and Route 8, dedicated to the development of small veteran farm plots, an education center, and distribution processes. The proposed plan includes the further development of their infrastructure and programs.

Learn More >


KICKSTART A GP BUSINESS


Josh Swank, local entrepreneur and VP for Phillipi-Hagenbuch, is launching a new startup, an Apple Watch and iOS app called Virtual Halo.

The app is a personal security app...there when you need it, but hoping you won't. It will start with a group of three modules that include SOS, I'm OK, and Check-In.

The idea came to Josh this past winter when he was in a compromising situation while traveling to South America. He realized there wasn't an easy way to let others know that he was in danger.

Want to learn more or join the Virtual Halo Kickstarter Campaign? Just visit the Virual Halo website.

THANK YOU BARD OPTICAL!

 















Please help us thank Bard Optical  for their investment in our regional economic development efforts.  We simply couldn't do it without them!


MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Don't miss these exciting GP events!

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Resource Expo
September 16, 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Peoria NEXT Innovation Center in Peoria 

CICESS Employer Informational Meeting
September 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Greater Peoria EDC Offices, 100 SW Water Street in Peoria 

KeyStart Business Pitch Competition
September 24, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 a.m.
820 SW Adams Street in Peoria

TCRPC BikeConnect Heart of Illinois - Regional Bike Trail Planning
September 29, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Gateway Building in Peoria.  Everyone is welcome! 

Bradley University Presents: Export Opportunities in Canada
Monday, October 5, 11:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m; Registration $20
PAWAC Reception- 5:00 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.; Registration $10


TRACKING OUR PROGRESS
Quarterly Updates

The Greater Peoria EDC has established a five year strategy and measurable goals as a part of the Focus Forward Plan.  We will be updating our investors and stakeholders each quarter on our progress in achieving the following goals by 2019:

HELP EXISTING BUSINESSES TO STAY AND GROW

25 interstate firm expansions/retentions by 2019, as measured by our clients

1,000 new high quality jobs created/retained by 2019, as measured by our clients

 

GROW NEW BUSINESSES

30 new companies created by 2019, as measured by StartUp Peoria clients

150 new high quality jobs created by 2019, as measured by StartUp Peoria clients 

 
ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES

10 new interstate firm locations by 2019, as measured by our clients
750 new high quality jobs created by 2019, as measured by our clients

 

TRAIN OUR WORKFORCE

50% increase in capture rate in targeted jobs by 2019, as measured by our clients.
50 apprentices transitioned to full time employment in our region, as measured by our clients.

RETAIN OUR WORKFORCE
Improved employee retention rate by 20% by 2019, as measured by our clients.

ATTRACT NEW TALENT
30% increase in new hire capture rate, as measured by our clients.

Look for our quarterly progress reports in our E-Newsletters in January, April, July, and October.

Progress Report - June 2015 

 

OUR LEADERSHIP CIRCLE INVESTORS
Greater Peoria Economic Development Council
100 SW Water Street
Peoria, IL  6155

Melissa Oliveri
309.495.5910