HP In The News
July 25, 2011

The Peoria Region is rising in the rankings, MSA unemployment drops again, a flashmob hits Peoria's Riverfront and a national convention has major impact on the regional economy. Those are just a few of the stories involving the Heartland Partnership family of companies over the past month. Here are links to some of our stories making headlines in local news.

Jim McConoughey appeared on 1470’s Greg and Dan show to talk about the continued decline in unemployment and a look at what kind of jobs are returning.  

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index® (WBI) ranks Peoria 13th best city in the country for total well-being and health of its residents.  

Peoria ranks 71 among top 200  "Best Places for Business and Careers" in 2011 according to Forbes.com.

Is a four-year public university possible for the city of Peoria? Peoria city council members and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce think so.  

A local business leader says the public university idea for Peoria is at the very least, worth looking into, no matter the outcome.  Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Chief Operation Officer Rob Parks says some reaction to a possible four year institution here in the future, centered on worry about the existing colleges already established here.

Peoria's Unemployment Now 2 Percent Lower Than National.  Heartland Partnership Chief Operating Officer Kip McCoy says the nation's rising unemployment to 9.2 percent in June isn't affecting the improved job's picture in Peoria, at least yet.

EDC president Vickie Clark joined WMBD TV's "Living Well" program to talk about starting your own business and the importance of continuing your education and being properly trained for the "new economy".

Luthern convention has big economic impact for Peoria.  "... the influx of visitors very well and provided out-of-towners with a positive experience", said Renee Charles, spokeswoman with The Heartland Partnership. ...

EcoThermics is expanding.  The Peoria-based research and development corporation is looking to open a new laboratory to test products, namely compressor systems, on a third party basis.

Local Firm Announces New Laboratory.  While EcoThermics corporate office and initial research and development lab will remain housed at the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, a primary objective of the Lenexa lab is to further test EcoThermics products.

Local Politicians Break It Down in the Streets.  The flash mob broke it down in the streets to spice things up and with the chamber a happy 100th birthday.

Flash mob takes Riverfront by Storm.  In honor of the the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce's 100th Anniversary the Chamber had a celebration Thursday night and attendees got to see a flash mob in action.

The Illinois River is fun for boating, but it also plays a major role for Central Illinois business. Executive Director of Transport explains the importance of the Illinois River waterway.

Michael Bryant, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Heartland Partnership and outgoing CEO of Methodist Medical Center, takes a look back at the changes in Central Illinois during his tenure here.

The Heartland Partnership is very proud of some recent positive rankings for our area.   Jim McConoughey takes a look at the recent Forbes, CNBC and Gallup-Healthways news. 

It's Great to be in Central Illinois.  Central Illinois employment distribution has changed a lot in recent years. Vickie Clark the President of Economic Development for Peoria NEXT explains where these changes can be seen.