Biomedical Manufacturing
Greater Peoria has long been known for its manufacturing prowess. From its early days as the “Whiskey Capital of the World” to its vital role in the mass production of penicillin during WWII to the growth of Caterpillar as the world-leader in earth movers, Greater Peoria continues evolving but remains true to its spirit: We are makers.
Supported by our manufacturing and medical ecosystems and a community of supportive resources, Greater Peoria is strongly positioned to become a biomedical manufacturing leader in the Midwest.
Want to delve deeper into Biomedical Manufacturing in the Greater Peoria region and all the resources available? Download our brochure below.
Ranked 6th Top Mid-sized metro Healthcare hub, Greater Peoria is taking advantage of strong manufacturing, research, and healthcare experience to build a biomedical manufacturing and biotech ecosystem.
The Peoria NEXT Innovation Center of Bradley University is the home to 10 wet labs and 10 dry labs for researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs that are transforming new technologies and innovations into commercial enterprises. The Innovation Center leverages the strengths of Caterpillar Inc., the USDA Agriculture Laboratory, Bradley University, and other health-science and technology organizations throughout the region to mature start-up companies to commercial successes. Companies in the fields of medical devices, mechanical engineering, molecular studies, biofuels, and information technology are current tenants in the Innovation Center. The center is home to Veloxity Labs, a bioanalysis startup, and Midwest Bioprocessing Center, a biotech company, both of which are laying the groundwork for Peoria to become the next biomedical manufacturing powerhouse.
Bio-Made is an initiative led by Jake Becraft of Strand Therapeutics and the Greater Peoria EDC with the goal of establishing the region as a global biotech hub through collaboration with educational institutions. Peoria Bio-made creates biotechnology-specific educational programs to empower the future workforce, and works with leading biotechnology companies nationwide to create infrastructure and opportunity zones.
JUMP, located on OSF’s campus, is one of the world’s largest medical simulation centers. JUMP is merging the most innovative minds in medicine with the most innovative technology. The scientists and clinicians at JUMP discern through research how healthcare processes can be improved, and then change those processes for the benefit of the people they serve. JUMP also offers biomedical-related engineering fellowships.
Greater Peoria is also home to one of the nation’s largest foundations that is solely committed to funding research, prototyping, and deployment of biomedical engineering projects. JUMP Applied Research through Community Health through Engineering and Simulation (ARCHES) is a partnership between JUMP Simulation and Education Center at OSF HealthCare and HCESC in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. It was established in 2014 by a $62.5 million gift to provide direct access and competitive grants to engineers and physicians working together to combat problems in the realm of healthcare.
Businesses and individuals in Greater Peoria are connected regionally through access to quick and efficient railroad service. The region has its own terminal and switching railroad, as well as five “Class 1” and six shortline railroads. Rail service providers include BNSF, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, Rail America, Genesee and Wyoming, Iowa Interstate Railroad, Pioneer Railroad, and T&P.
Our road transportation includes the intersections of Interstates 74, 55, 474 and linkages to Interstates 39, 55, 57, 80, and 88, supported by Interstate 65 and local trucking firms.
The Peoria market is also connected to the global market via our international airport (the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport) which offers direct domestic flights and various connecting routes. 13 non-stop flight destinations including Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and Charlotte, Las Vegas, Nashville, and Tampa and many other secondary connections.. Businesses can also utilize the services of Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal, 45 minutes from Peoria, Illinois.
The Greater Peoria region offers a range of development options, a sampling of which is highlighted here. You will find a historic warehouse property for redevelopment, an empty plot of land for new construction, and a facility that could be easily and quickly repurposed for lab space. Highlights of our available sites are:
Want to learn more about this emerging industry? Talk to us.
