Coal Communities: The Greater Peoria region has felt an impact from the transition from carbon-based energy production. Over the past few years, two of our coal fired power plants (Edwards in Peoria County and Havana in Mason County) have closed, and the Powerton plant in Tazewell is scheduled for closure before the end of the decade. But challenges also present opportunities. Greater Peoria was selected to be part of the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) Action Challenge, an EDA-funded initiative administered by the National Association of Counties (NaCO). This technical assistance program empowers local leaders to identify and advance projects for economic revitalization and diversification. Over the past year, the Peoria regional team received one-on-one coaching from Kalyn Obiozor of the West Virginia Community Development Hub to develop a locally-driven economic diversification strategy. Last week, Kathie was joined by Debbi Lu Rue of Tri-County Regional Planning Commission to present our local plan and set of recommended strategies to federal and policy partners in Washington DC at NaCO headquarters. This was both an opportunity to showcase Greater Peoria on a national stage and network with and learn from other Action Challenge participants.
Vote!: Who doesn’t love a good bracket challenge? Sure, March makes us think of basketball, but it’s also time for my second favorite “Madness.” Each spring, our friends at the Illinois Manufacturers Association put together Makers Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois (presented by Comcast). More than 250 unique products from across Illinois were nominated, including 21 products made right here in Greater Peoria. We’ve done all the hard work for you and created a list of local entries that you can find here. The range is amazing: from the D11 Caterpillar bulldozer of East Peoria to HuMod’s prosthetic ankle being made at Distillery Labs in Peoria. In the current nomination round, you can vote for up to five products each day (per device). On March 17, the top 16 will start going head-to-head in voting until a champion is crowned. We want to retain the title! Last year’s Coolest Thing Made in Illinois was Komatsu’s 980E mining truck made in Peoria.
Regional Fresh Food Council: Join us for a cooking demo and discussion on ways to enhance the connection between local foods and institutions. Peoria Public Health Child and Family Health Program Coordinator Michelle Compton and Erin Myer, Founder & President of Basil’s Harvest will be leading this session as part of the Regional Food Council of Central Illinois’s quarterly convenings. The Regional Food Council is a collective effort to make healthy food available and accessible while embracing a stronger food economy. The meeting will be April 4 from 8:30 to 10 am in the commissary kitchen at Distillery Labs (201 SW Adams, Peoria). Register for free here.
IT Job Fair: Just a reminder that Illinois Central College Career Services is hosting the IT Workforce Accelerator Job Fair on Tuesday, April 1 from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at ICC’s East Peoria Campus. They are currently seeking employers to staff tables and engage with job seekers. More information and registration here.
Have a great weekend.
Chris