I’m back from a mostly relaxing “staycation,” and some of the news backed up. Here are some updates to end your week.
Defense Day: Sally and Dick traveled to Chicagoland to participate in the first-ever Illinois Defense Manufacturing Industry Day on August 15th. The event, organized by the Illinois Manufacturers Association and Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, proved to be a pivotal inaugural event fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within the defense manufacturing sector. This day offered a unique platform for nearly 400 industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to discuss current challenges, future opportunities, and the latest advancements in defense manufacturing technologies. Panel discussions provided dynamic conversations about supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing technologies, and workforce development. The afternoon focused on supplier matchmaking with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Exhibits offered cutting-edge technologies and solutions from leading manufacturers and innovators. Greater Peoria was well represented as an Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium partner. It was joined by five area companies (Enercon, Fluid Dynamics, Peoria Production Solutions, Omni, and Cast Technologies) as sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees.
Soy Innovation Fund: Two Fridays ago, Sally and Kathie convened a discussion with Illinois Soybean Association’s Todd Main, Director of Market Development, to consider how we can join with their new Soy Innovation Center’s efforts to build effective networks that will bring to market new products for soybeans. The Soy Innovation Center will spearhead the development of soy-based alternatives in collaboration with commercial end-users to ensure alignment with consumers, companies, and suppliers’ evolving needs. Bradley University SBDC, Distillery Labs, scientists, and the director of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research joined the conversation. Greater Peoria is a rich environment that is well-positioned to advance market development opportunities through the coordination of research and development efforts in our region.
Volunteer for Career Spark! The largest career exploration initiative in central Illinois returns for its 8th year at the Peoria Civic Center on October 1 & 2 – and we need your help to make it happen. Since its inception in 2017, GP CareerSpark has served nearly 30,000 8th graders in our region, providing a transformative, hands-on educational experience that connects local businesses with tomorrow’s workforce. This initiative has gained attention throughout the state for its impactful approach to career education, and we’re looking for community members who wish to be a part of it. Volunteers can sign up now to represent their industry, assist with greeting buses, guiding students between zones, monitoring zone entrances and exits, and delivering volunteer lunches. Sign up here.
ASCM Visits Federal Companies: The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) is the global leader in supply chain organizational transformation, innovation, and leadership. Sally and Kathie participated in the Lincoln Land Chapter’s visit to Federal Companies on August 19. Federal Companies was established in 1913 by Clarence Ullman in Peoria during a time when whiskey and beer production reigned supreme. Initially, a single warehousing and distribution facility was established at 800 South Adams Street, and the company was formed when river and rail transportation were dominant. In 1928, they became a charter member of Allied Van Lines. Federal Companies is one of the original seven companies that formed the van line. Over the decades, Federal Companies has grown and evolved, expanding into new markets across the Midwest while adapting rapidly to new technology and transport systems. The ASCM chapter members got an up-close look at how a century-plus-old company has evolved to meet today’s transportation demands.
Midwest Startups: I have a love-hate relationship with “rankings,” but it’s always nice to see our community move up. Medium, an online magazine, releases an annual ranking of the best Midwest communities for startups. This year, Peoria moved up 13 spots to #33 and ranked third in Illinois behind Chicago (an obvious powerhouse) and Champaign (blessed with the country’s best research university). The authors said this about us: “Peoria’s shown a lot of growth with their Startup Momentum score (a measurement within the index) moving +23 spots, and it boasts the only recent $50M+ financing round downstate with Natural Fiber Welding’s $85M Series B.” The momentum is real, but there is room to grow. You can read more here.
Upcoming Events: Don’t miss out on these great events:
- Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) is seeking community input into the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan at a public open house on Tuesday, August 27th, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Peoria Heights Public Library. The plan will guide the development and maintenance of our transportation system for the next 25 years in the Peoria-Pekin Urban Area. A second public open house is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Fondulac District Library.
- The Distillery Labs gBeta Startup Showcase is scheduled for Thursday, September 12th. Come hear the pitches of the startups that participated in the two 2024 great cohorts. Doors open at 4 p.m. for networking and free drinks and appetizers. The program starts around 6 p.m. You can register here.
Have a great weekend and week.
Chris