Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jessica Linder Gallo thinks the organization can act as a conduit between businesses, community organizations and city leaders as Peoria works to overcome its housing shortage.
Gallo said the chamber’s role in facilitating residential development often varies.
“I think it looks different in every opportunity and every partnership, but we've been having conversations over the last six months or so with several different developers, local real estate folks,” she said during a media session following Mayor Rita Ali’s State of the City address last Thursday.
“Really where we can play a role, and want to play a role, is in making those connections and helping businesses see exactly what the mayor has pointed out today and some of the opportunity that exists in Peoria.”
Gallo said the Peoria chamber is at an advantage when it comes to establishing relationships and making connections.
“I've worked in other parts of the state where maybe those relationships aren't there and you're kind of on your own,” she said. “But here we can make those connections to folks, whether that be other private investors, whether that be government, to really move projects along.”
During her introductory speech prior to Ali’s address, Gallo stressed the chamber’s position of support and advocacy for the business community. She said the organization continues to pursue initiatives aimed at helping both businesses and the community as a whole prosper.
“Through our involvement in initiatives like the Peoria South Choice Neighborhoods initiative and other housing development discussions, we're helping align business voices with efforts to revitalize housing, develop workforce pipelines and attract investment to underrepresented areas,” she said.
Gallo also touted the chamber’s work in collaboration with Peoria toward increasing equity in procurement of city project contracts, and highlighted efforts to grow the area’s employment base through the Regional Workforce Alliance that she co-chairs with Illinois Central College President Sheila Quirk-Bailey.
“We're addressing workforce needs, supporting upskilling and making it easier for both businesses and individuals across our region to thrive,” she said. “These efforts help bridge opportunity gaps and support a more vibrant, sustainable business community for all of us.”
In addition to workforce development initiatives, Gallo said the chamber's legislative agenda focuses on establishing a fair tax climate, seeking employment regulations that spark growth and investment, and improving regional transportation and infrastructure.
She stressed it's the chamber's responsibility to help businesses adapt and overcome obstacles by connecting them with resources to meet their needs.
“Our goal is really simple, in my opinion: it's to make Peoria the best place in Illinois to start, grow and sustain a business because business is the backbone of our regional economy and community life,” she said.
"It's important to note that we don't do this work alone, though. Over the past year, we've deepened our collaborations with community and economic development organizations across the region. This increased alignment is helping us to do more and do it better.”
