Compeer Financial: Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the giving program of the Farm Credit cooperative, has awarded Greater Peoria EDC $2,500 to support the regional Ag. Tech Connect programming partnership. The Regional Partnership is dedicated to growing business connections and advancing opportunities and collaboration within the agriculture ecosystem. Funding will support current programming focused on high school FFA programs throughout our region. Ag. Tech Connect, a part of Distillery Labs, plays a vital role in this mission by connecting people, ideas, and resources to launch and grow businesses within the vibrant Peoria community.
Two Times an Intern: This week marked the second time our rockstar intern, Alika Rakhimova, has had a “last week.” An international student from Kyrgyzstan attending Illinois Wesleyan University, Alika first served as our Workforce intern during her junior year, helping build the foundation of what is now GPWorks. But when Alika recently graduated (with degrees in Finance and Mathematics) and found herself with some time on her hands before her banking career started in Chicago, she reached out to see about a short term summer internship. It didn’t take me long to say yes. Though only working for about 6 weeks, Alika worked to help better understand how our community addresses employment and training for people with disabilities. She did background research, investigated best practices and interviewed great local programs like Goodwill and Community Workshop Training Center. Her final paper will help the Regional Workforce Alliance shape its work in this area. Managing interns isn’t always easy, and sometimes they take more work than they produce, but Alika was (and is) amazing. Good luck to her as she tackles Chicago, and thank you for all your work.
Quarterly Report: We’ve just published our Second Quarter Report, and it’s packed with big wins and forward momentum. This quarter, Greater Peoria secured a major business attraction victory with Damera Corporation selecting East Peoria for its first U.S. manufacturing site—bringing $30 million in investment and 90 new clean energy jobs to the region. From building global relationships at Select USA and Mexico City to expanding our startup strategies with Cedar Rapids and celebrating local innovation at the Startup Showcase, we’re pushing the region forward on multiple fronts. We also engaged over a dozen ag educators, opened registration for Big Table 2025, and helped bring state-level recognition to our CareerSpark initiative. Every project, every partnership, and every pitch is part of our mission to grow opportunity in Greater Peoria.
Read the full Q2 report here.
Big Table: The next Big Table Greater Peoria will be held October 17–18 at the Four Points Sheraton Peoria. We want you to join us for two days of bold conversations, fresh ideas, and regional collaboration. This year’s theme—Innovation as a Regional Growth Strategy—will guide our discussions on workforce, entrepreneurship, livability, and opportunity. Register here today to attend or serve as a table facilitator and help shape the future of Greater Peoria.
Inclusive Business Insights: Don’t forget that Rainbow Resilience will take place on Thursday, July 17, at Distillery Labs. This panel discussion brings together members of the business community to explore how companies are supporting LGBTQIA+ owned businesses and promoting inclusive economic practices. Organized in partnership with Central Illinois Friends, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Distillery Labs, the event will feature local leaders, including Deric Kimler, Cody Hendricks, and Savvy of Enough Stuff, with moderation by Mario Treto, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Held just ahead of River City Pride, this free public event invites professionals and community members alike to join the conversation. RSVP here.
Next Week’s Update: I’ll be on vacation all of next week, so there will be no Weekend Update. Hope you will be having as much fun as I am, but that might be a tall order!
Have a great weekend.
Chris