The Greater Peoria Business Alliance (formerly The Heartland Partnership) is comprised of the CEO Council and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce. It focuses specifically on the needs of private business and the regional business climate.  We provide strategic leadership, coordinate resources and bring to life initiatives that will develop, grow and nurture our regional economy.  We are a catalyst for regional visioning and strategic thinking and we offer a forum for identifying regional issues.  We develop solutions that target and encourage quality innovation and increase economic opportunity through our regional collaborations.  We work hard to ensure a livable community, to expand the entrepreneurial climate and to broaden prosperity.  We are also charged with communicating progress and opportunity to all of our regional partners and both internal and external audiences.

The CEO Council Foundation

The CEO Council Foundation (formerly Heartland Foundation) does business as the CEO Council.  It is an Illinois not for profit corporation qualified as a tax exempt entity pursuant to section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and as such, donations to the CEO Council  in furtherance of its exempt purpose are deductable by the donor’s as charitable contributions.  The stated purpose of the CEO Council  is to foster community development.  The CEO Council has identified three main objectives for 2013-2014 including Downtown Revitalization/Warehouse Rennovation, Greater Peoria Economic Scorecard and Workforce/Education.  The goal is to take on large scale initiatives that will grow the region and enhnace the regional business climate.  There are nearly 70 members of the CEO COUNCIL representing Greater Peoria’s private business sector. 

MISSION:
The CEO COUNCIL will utilize the collective regional business leadership to promote a common vision and strategies for executing initiatives that promote the growth of Greater Peoria.

VISION:
Promote a climate conducive to fostering entrepreneurship, commerce and growth to make Greater Peoria a top mid-sized region in America.

Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce is a 1,100+ member company.  The Chamber membership is very heterogeneous -- both in size and types of companies.  It ranges from one person home based businesses to those with thousands of employees.  72% of chamber member companies have 25 or fewer employees in the Greater Peoria area. Only 8% have 101 or more employees in the area.  The Chamber’s mission is to be the leading voice and resource for business in the region.

The Chamber board adopted a strategic plans in 2012 that focuses on work in three specific areas: regional economic vibrancy; public policy advocacy; and membership services.  To learn more about the Chamber click here.