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Proud to CHOOSE GREATER PEORIA

February 01, 2023

Press Release: Greater Peoria Economic Development Council Releases 2022 Annual Report Showcasing Progress on Regional Initiatives

 

Greater Peoria Economic Development Council Releases 2022 Annual Report Showcasing Progress on Regional Initiatives

Peoria, Illinois (February 1, 2023)— The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic growth and development in the Greater Peoria region, is pleased to announce the release of its latest annual report. The report highlights the organization’s achievements and initiatives in creating a thriving and sustainable economy in the community.

The report showcases the organization’s efforts in fostering entrepreneurship, attracting investment, connecting businesses and communities to resources, and improving the workforce. It also highlights key partnerships and collaborations that have been instrumental in driving economic growth in the region. 

GPEDC seeks to create a vibrant and thriving economy for the community. Highlights of the past year include welcoming over 4,000 middle school students to the CareerSpark expo; partnering with Illinois Central College and others on a winning $14.6 million EDA Good Job Challenge; finalizing the plans for Distillery Labs; preparing our rural communities for broadband expansion opportunities; and helping stand up a regional port district to advance commercial opportunities on the Illinois River.  GPEDC’s efforts both helped improve the foundation of the regional economy and provided immediate benefits. Through funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, GPEDC and its partners helped 136 businesses receive over $ 5 million in Illinois Back to Business grants. 

The report also highlights the organization’s efforts in attracting investment to the region, which has resulted in creating new jobs and expanding existing businesses. Examples include Regal Industrial, an industrial coatings company with nearly 50 years of experience that opened its third US location here, and the soon-to-be-open Amazon fulfillment center in North Pekin. Efforts like these positively impacted the local economy, resulting in increased economic activity and growth.

“Our GPEDC team – the staff, Board, and partners – all did outstanding work in 2022,” said Don Forrest, the Chair of GPEDC’s board. “All of this is only possible because of the support of our GPEDC investors, who understand the tremendous value of practicing economic development regionally and collaboratively.”

“We are proud to present our latest annual report, which showcases the progress we have made in promoting economic growth and development in the region with our partners,” said CEO Chris Setti. “We remain committed to our mission of creating a thriving economy for our region and will continue to work with partners to achieve this goal. 2023 will be even better.”

The report can be accessed on the GPEDC’s website (www.greaterpeoriaedc.org). The organization invites the community to read the report and learn more about its work in promoting economic growth and development.

About the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council

(GPEDC) is a regional economic development organization covering the Greater Peoria area spanning five counties in central Illinois: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Logan, and Mason. The GPEDC’s mission is to promote economic development in the region through its six core programs: Business Attraction, Business Assistance, Workforce Solutions, Innovation and Startups, Rural Development, and the development and promotion of a regional Manufacturing Network. 

 

Press Contact

Name:

Chris Setti

CEO

Greater Peoria EDC

Mobile:

(309) 472-6291

Email:

csetti@greaterpeoriaedc.org 

Annual Report Link

https://greaterpeoriaedc.org/leadership/gpedc-annual-report-2022/