SpringBoard Challenge: This week, several members of our team worked to support the Illinois Soybean Association in hosting the SpringBoard 2025 Challenge at Distillery Labs. The event was planned to bring together researchers, industry leaders, and investors to spark innovation in non-food products and bio-based materials derived from soybeans and other crops. Kathie worked with the planning committee to engage local businesses in the panel discussions which included Dave Demerjian of Midwest BioProcessing Center; Aaron Amstultz of NFW; and Patrick Killian of Viridis Chemical. Our region is gaining new recognition as an innovation corridor. I served on a panel highlighting GPEDC’s work in supporting the business startup ecosystem which includes our partners at ISU, Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, Bradley University SBDC and Distillery Labs. Sally, Kathie and Kirsten are leading an effort to examine what challenges manufacturers in our region have today that a soy-based solution could help solve. Distillery Labs was the perfect setting to host this dynamic gathering designed to fuel collaboration, accelerate commercialization, and expand market opportunities for ag-based products.
Career Spark Kickoff: While SpringBoard was happening on the first floor, a smaller group gathered upstairs. Wednesday was the official kickoff of this year’s Career Spark. About 20 volunteer industry co-chairs joined GPEDC and Junior Achievement staff to start the planning for the ninth Career Spark that will be held in early October. This is a volunteer driven event with over 400 people helping make each of the two day experience both awesome and impactful. Over the first eight years of this groundbreaking initiative just shy of 30,000 students have been exposed to dozens of career opportunities – many of them are in the workforce today, inspired years prior by the Career Spark program. If you want to learn more, drop me a line.
Happy Birthday Caterpillar: Most companies don’t live to see their 100th birthday, and even rarer is to have the sort of impact on Peoria, Illinois and the world that Caterpillar has had over the past century. While this is going to be a year-long celebration, it was fun to walk through the Caterpillar Visitors Center along with generations of Caterpillar employees, suppliers and customers to share in the history and impact of the company. Special congrats to GPEDC board member Henry Vicary whose team put on quite the day of events. Happy birthday, Caterpillar.
Q1 Report: Laying the Groundwork for Growth: Our Q1 2025 Report is now live and packed with momentum. From 13 new business attraction inquiries and $40M in potential investment to expanded employer engagement in work-based learning, this quarter was all about building strategic pipelines—for talent, for capital, and for future development.
Key highlights include support for startups through our Regional Innovation Hub, new site certification progress, and deeper engagement with partners like IDOT to enhance access to development corridors. Read the full report here: GPEDC First Quarter Report
DIGIM Investing in Our Future Workforce: The inaugural DIGIM Night of Scholars Dinner will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 6:30–9:00 PM at Distillery Labs. The event will celebrate local students receiving scholarships to support their next steps—whether in college, skilled trades, or entrepreneurship. Founded by the YANI Collective, DIGIM has redefined college and career readiness through dynamic, culturally relevant experiences that have reached over 2,500 students from 25+ schools. The Night of Scholars is an extension of that mission, directly addressing financial barriers and connecting students with community leaders and resources. Tickets are available at nightofscholars.eventbrite.com. If you’re passionate about workforce development and talent retention, this is an evening you won’t want to miss.
Big Idea Competition: A final reminder that this year’s Big Idea Competition finals will take place on April 22 from 5 – 7 pm at the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center at Bradley. Big Idea isn’t just a pitch competition for student projects, but has become a great launching pad for innovators and entrepreneurs. Come see tomorrow’s successes before they become famous.
Happy Easter, Happy Passover and Happy Weekend.
Chris