Changes in the Workplace

The workplace has changed dramatically from generation to generation. Our grandparents joined the workforce and stayed with the same job for 35-45 years.  Our parents predominately shifted maybe once or twice throughout their careers but it was generally in the same industry. The newest generation will be in seven to ten different jobs, and they will be in industries all over the board.  They also will be in industries that have yet to be designed. To hear more about the changes in our workforce click here.

Peoria County Tops for Wage Increase

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the U.S. average weekly wage increased over the year by 5.2 percent to $935 in the first quarter of 2011. Among the large counties in the U.S., Peoria, had the largest over-the-year increase in average weekly wages in the first quarter of 2011 with a gain of 18.9 percent. Within Peoria, professional and business services had the largest impact on the county’s over-the-year increase in average weekly wages.  Click here for more information.

How Do You Communicate?

In a recent Heartland Partnership survey nearly 200 respondents from the regional business community told us how they prefer to communicate.  It appears email is the most popular method of communicating followed closely by phone and text. 

Email 25.63%
Phone 21.27%
Text 21.11%
Facebook 16.58%
Linked In 10.05%
Twitter 3.69%
Other Option 1.68%

What Do You Like Best About Peoria Region?

We also asked "What is your favorite part of the Peoria Region?"  Here are the results:
Outdoor activities 28.95%
Short commute and no traffic 26.64%
Sporting events 19.08%
Art & theater 11.51%
Shopping   9.54%
Other Option 4.28%

Click here for more details

Bass Pro Talks About Peoria Region

Keynote speaker for The Heartland Partnership Annual Meeting was Rob Keck, a member of Bass Pro Shops RedHead Pro Team, Chairman of the Board of the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and former CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation.  He brought a stimulating message about how to make the Peoria Region a destination just as Bass Pro Shops has done.  If you missed his presentation you can see it by clicking here.

Positive Stories From Regional Businesses

We gathered some positive stories from regional businesses during our 2011 annual meeting. Check out our Facebook page to read about all the great things going on with our regional businesses.  Here are a few of the stories:

*LifeLine Pilots is helping more children and adults with the help of the local community than ever before.  
*Quality Quest for Health of Illinois is transforming healthcare
*Savant Capital Management celebrates its 25th anniversary
*PDI has a brand new building
*Jim Maloof Realtor has added new technology updates
*Millennia Professional Services is growing & expanding its business while looking to start a materials testing lab.

Top 25 Places to View Fall Colors

Midwest Living Magazine named the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway one of 25 Great Spots for Fall Color!  Check out the story.

Business Retention Blitz

The Heartland Partnership family of companies will be visiting 200 regional businesses at the end of October during our 2011 Business Retention Blitz.  We want to find out what’s happening with the regional business climate and how regional businesses are doing in general.  Watch for more information as we may be coming to visit you! 

Pack the Place Third Thursday Lunch

Join us on October 20 at the Fieldhouse Bar & Grill in Campustown.  Take advantage of the Pack the Place special offer of "Buy 1 lunch meal get one 50% off."  Pack the Place is sponsored by Methodist College of Nursing.  Click here to print your coupon.

Pack the Place Packtivity

Join us on October 15 at Ackerman Farms from 9am to 5pm and receive a free child admission to the corn maze.  Visit our website to print your special discount coupon and help us pack the place!  Project Pack the Place is sponsored by Methodist College of Nursing.

Energy Co-op

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce is offering an Energy Purchasing Cooperative to help Chamber members save money on their monthly utility bills and provide long term budget stability in a deregulated market.   The program has offered commercial services since 2007 and this year residential service has been added. If your employer is a chamber member, you are eligible to sign up for the program in your own home.  For more information visit the website.

Going to China

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to visit and learn from one of the world's oldest civilizations…China.  We invite you to take a trip to China and tour the country and learn more about international business.  The Peoria Metro may be located in the heart of the Midwest but we are a truly global community and it is important to understand other cultures and options for business growth. Click here to learn more.

37th Annual Community Leadership School

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School (CLS) unites 42 adults around a single goal: to motivate and inspire its participants to a higher level of community awareness and involvement. Now in its 37th year, Community Leadership School has become the trusted program for transforming talented people into true community leaders.  Click here to apply for 2012 CLS.

Small Business Saturday

November 26th is Small business Saturday. It's a day dedicated to supporting small businesses throughout our region.  Shoppers can receive special offers and small business owners will have access to innovative marketing tools and social media resources to help them connect with customers.  The Heartland Partnership, Peoria Chamber, EDC and Illinois River Road are working with regional communities to make Small Business Saturday a huge success.  Visit Small Business Saturday for information and be sure to stay tuned to learn how you can get involved.