PeoriaMagazines.com

Based in Peoria, Illinois, Central Illinois Business Publishers is the foremost business, social and arts resource in the region. On this site, you will find information about our four publications: InterBusiness Issues, The Peoria Woman, art & society and Peoria Progress magazines. Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find it covered on PeoriaMagazines.com.

Caterpillar Inc. is unveiling the first innovative AC electric drive track-type tractor in the industry. The revolutionary electric drive system developed for track-type tractors gives the D7E an unmatched balance of power, efficiency, control and maneuverability. The new product demonstrates Caterpillar's commitment to the industry with a machine that does more work and consumes less fuel and parts while providing lower operating costs.

NEXT Steps

NEXTsteps was designed to provide a forum for informal networking and information sharing between innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and others interested in nurturing entrepreneurship in the Midwest. Typically, NEXTsteps features the presentation of three or more technology companies or technology concepts ready to be taken to the next level. Date: March 18th, 2008 Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am (refreshments provided) Location: Peoria NEXT Innovation Center 801 W Main Peoria, Illinois Additional details and directions to the event can be found at: www.peorianext.org/goto/nextsteps

Peoria NEXT 801 W. Main Peoria, IL 61606 phone (309) 676-6398 fax (309) 676-7534

Population and Income

The data below compare three major intersections in Peoria. At the 10 and 30 mile radius point, downtown has the highest population and income. There is little difference among the 3 locations at the 30 mile radius point, which picks up most of the metropolitan population.

2000 Census Population Radius 10 Miles / 30 Miles

I-74 & Washington (Downtown) 254,725 / 387,773
I-474 and Adams (Southern Gateway 236,871 / 386,576
Rt 6 & War Memorial (Grand Prairie) 178,143 / 387,657

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2007 Estimated Median
Household Income Radius 10 Miles / 30 Miles

I-74 & Washington (Downtown) 47,489 / 49,616
I-474 and Adams (Southern Gateway 45, 353 / 49,388
Rt 6 & War Memorial (Grand Prairie) 45,987 / 49,591

Source US Census, Claritas.

Enterprise Zone

There are nearly 100 Enterprise Zones in Illinois. These zones help to incent development. Certain types of development can get a 5 year property tax abatement and pay no sales tax on building material. Information on Enterprise Zones can be found at:

http://www.ieza.org/

http://peoriaenterprisezone.blogspot.com/

Business Showcase on Tuesday April 1, 2008

The 2008 Business Showcase, held in Peoria at the Peoria Civic Center, will take place Tuesday, April 1st.

This event is quickly growing into one of the region’s largest business networking event, and you will want to be there. This event showcases some of the Peoria area’s most dynamic businesses, together at one event. Feel free to explore the latest in technology, services, and products that could empower your business. Discover the revenue possibilities, make connections with area professionals, and increase your company’s productivity. If you may be interested in participating in the 2008 Business Showcase please visit the attached link. This will take you to the Business Showcase, on the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce website.

http://www.peoriachamber.org/goto/BusinessShowcase You will see three live links at the top of the page. The first link is to download the Exhibitor’s Service Manual (registration information). It is a large document, so if it may take some time to open. The other two links allow you to view who is already signed up for the trade show and which booth number they are assigned to. Please let me know if you have any questions about the Business Showcase. I will be glad to help.

Thank you,

Sarah Stabler Sarah

sstabler@chamber.h-p.org
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
A company of the Heartland Partnership
124 S.W. Adams St. Suite 300
Peoria, IL 61602
p: (309) 495-5914f: (309) 495-5978
Visit us at: www.peoriachamber.org

At Issue Economic Development Video

The three part At Issue series on economic development is now posted on the station's website.

Go to www.wtvp.org and click on programming on the task bar across the top. Then click on At Issue in the drop down box. The shows will appear with the most recent at the top. Just click on the picture and the half hour show will play.

Joint Review Board (JRB)

The JRB meeting is scheduled for Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm in Room 404 of the City Hall. The public is welcome. This meeting will update representatives of all the City of Peoria taxing bodies on the nine existing Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF). The performance of each TIF will be discussed, and compared to non TIF areas.

The JRB will also discuss the potential Hospitality Improvement Zone (HIZ) TIF, which would assist existing and potential hotels to improve in downtown Peoria. Our neighbors in Normal, Tinley Park, and East Peoria have all developed high quality hotel and conference centers using TIF incentives. The City of Peoria can choose to either compete for this business, or accept a decline in conference attendance in downtown.

City Economic Development staff will be presenting the potential HIZ TIF to the taxing bodies over the next month. More info at:

http://hospitalityimprovementzone.blogspot.com/