Greater Peoria Economic Development Council

As the fall harvest season arrives each year, the economic significance of agriculture in the Peoria area becomes highly visible. That’s a fact Greater Peoria Economic Development Council CEO Chris Setti has come to appreciate after growing up in suburban Los Angeles.

The manufacturing company broke ground Monday on the project, which will replace an aging office building. The new building will be powered by solar energy and is designed to conserve water.

The chamber of commerce will be paid $2,000 by the city to submit the grant application. Other payments would be made by the city to the chamber if the grant is approved by the DCEO.

The Peoria area saw an increase in jobs from April to May, but unemployment is still up from last year.

The development community in the Greater Peoria area is "leaning in" on everything the region has to offer.

With eyewear manufacturer Maui Jim expanding its operations in Peoria, area leaders are optimistic the move can spark additional economic growth. Greater Peoria Economic Development Council CEO Chris Setti says it's always encouraging when a business like this makes a long-term commitment to this community.

Preliminary findings from a survey and feasibility study on broadband access in Peoria County confirm a substantial need in rural and economically depressed areas. The goal of the study commissioned by Peoria County and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council is to identify the service needs and develop a plan for seeking government funding to address those needs.

The new business-backed talent attraction and branding initiative for the Greater Peoria area formally launched Thursday ahead of a broader marketing blitz.

The collaboration between Big Picture Peoria, the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission features murals from across Peoria, allowing visitors to take an art tour of the area.

A recent agreement approved by the Peoria City Council may be the first of its kind in Illinois — putting Peoria on the map as a so-called “smart city.”