Here is a look at some of the stories that have hit the local headlines in recent weeks regarding The Heartland Partnership Family of Companies. 

Quest a soaring success
The school's open house took place Thursday evening, moments after the school announced it had reached its fundraising goal that was set in motion by the Caterpillar Foundation.

Quest Reaches Fundraising Goal, Will Receive CAT Match
Quest Charter Academy has reached it's fundraising milestone, which means Caterpiller will now pay it's challenge match.  

Charter School Meets Fund raising Goal, Cat Will Match
Peoria's first charter school passed its first big test Thursday, just a couple of weeks into the school year.

Firefly could make a comeback
"We're excited there will be a new opportunity for a business to be there and to take over the technology," said Kyle Ham, president of Peoria NEXT ...

Peoria NEXT hosting venture capital workshop
One of the biggest problems entrepreneurs have is that they don't know how to raise capital. Investors have high standards in what they expect but don't always articulate them well.

They're finally building the block.  
After years of delays and set-backs, shovels are hitting the ground this afternoon to begin construction on Peoria’s Riverfront Museum.  

The Block Will be Built
In a couple of years, "Build the Block" will be a theme of the past. Tuesday, Caterpillar, Peoria city, county and museum officials said the groundbreaking ceremony was long overdue.    

New Businesses Play in Peoria
Jim McConoughey, President of Heartland Partnership- an economic and community development company that works to grow and attract business and talent- said ...

Chamber of Commerce Increases Membership
Peoria's Chamber President Roberta Parks says the goal is to gain 200 new members. "We haven't done this for 10 years so we had about 1100 members and we

New director evaluates development
She said she hopes partnerships with the Heartland Partnership's Economic Development Council, and working with the state's Department of Commerce and ...

City's vacancy rates difficult to determine
Figuring a way to account for Peoria's vacant structures is something the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois is trying to resolve. ...

Be sure to catch WHOI's new afternoon talk show "Good Company" (weekdays at 5pm) as Peoria NEXT will be a regular weekly feature on the program and The Heartland Partnership will be featured monthly. Here's a look at the first interviews with our organizations. 

Did It Start In Central Illinois?  Find out what technology-based businesses got their start right here in Central Illinois. Plus...what is Peoria NEXT? Kyle Ham, President/COO of PeoriaNEXT sits down with Mark and Gretchen to explain.

Welcome to the Partnership.  Ever wondered what the Heartland Partnership is all about? Want to know how to " Step Up" in Central Illinois? Where can you see The Beatles? ...