Rural Big Table: Building on the momentum of two weeks ago, GPEDC hosted its first Rural Big Table in El Paso on Tuesday night. Patterned after the bigger event that was held on October 17, these meetings are designed to solicit input on the same topics of opportunity, talent, entrepreneurship and livability, but through the lens of our smaller communities. A few dozen people spent three hours sharing their thoughts and concerns, all of which will be combined with the input from the other events. Hat tip to Dorsey of GPEDC for facilitating the evening and our thanks to the committee that helped organize the evening, including Mayor Dawn Deeb and Katie Garber (Metamora), Bary Kauther (El Paso), Cole McDaniel (Hometown Consulting), Charlie Zimmerman (Metamora HS) and Richard Proffer (UI Extension).
There are two more Rural Big Tables scheduled. Please RSVP here.
- Mason County – November 13 from 4 – 7 pm – Havana City Center (326 W Market St, Havana)
- Tazewell County – December 10 from 4 – 7 pm – Tremont High School Cafetorium (400 W Pearl St, Tremon
BEDC: Cynthia and Carolyn attended the Illinois Basic Economic Development Course last week, which provided an excellent opportunity to deepen their understanding of core economic development principles while learning from experienced practitioners here in Illinois. The sessions offered valuable insights on business retention strategies, workforce development, incentives, and community competitiveness. They also enjoyed networking with peers, exchanging best practices, and reconnecting with regional and state partners throughout the week. Both Cynthia and Carolyn are excited to bring these takeaways back to the GPEDC and apply them to strengthen the region’s impact.
DIGIM: Cynthia and David supported the “Damn, I Graduate in May” (DIGIM) College Fair at the University of Illinois Chicago. Over 600 high school seniors from across Central Illinois and the Chicagoland region attended an event designed to expand access to career pathways for students from underrepresented communities. The day featured panel discussions, campus tours, and direct engagement with colleges and employers. Cynthia served as a facilitator for the Government, Non-Profit, and Education sector room, guiding two interactive sessions where panelists shared insights into public service and community impact careers. David assisted with planning, coordination, and on-site execution, including calls with UIC organizers, panelist recruitment, and day-of logistical support to ensure a smooth and engaging experience for all participants. A highlight were the fair’s “How to Become” industry panels that highlighted career opportunities in healthcare, government, non-profit and education, trades, arts and entertainment, STEM, sports, and business and entrepreneurship. Each session intentionally featured professionals whose backgrounds reflected the students’ own experiences—helping participants see themselves in a wide range of future careers.
GP Profile: Thank you to our friends at Illinois EDC (formerly Intersect Illinois) for a nice profile of the Greater Peoria region and GPEDC in its recent “Illinois Business Beat” newsletter. There was even a short article about Morton being the “Pumpkin King” of the world. Illinois EDC is a great partner with us, and we appreciate the shout out in a publication that is shared across the country and world. You can read the profile here (near the bottom).
River Summit: Last chance! Next week is the Corn Belt Ports Illinois River Partnership Summit 2025 here in Peoria. The three day summit is actually three independent events: The Green Marine Highway Initiative (Wednesday), the Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative annual meeting (Thursday), and the Illinois Waterway Port Commission annual meeting (Friday). Each is a unique opportunity to learn about efforts to leverage our greatest natural resource. I’m honored to moderate a panel on Thursday and be a panelist on Friday. You can come to any one of these or all of them. Agenda and registration here.
Happy Halloween! Have a great weekend.
Chris