tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85293556188730721562024-02-19T07:37:00.432-08:00PeoriaStrategyC Hullingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782759243128511853noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529355618873072156.post-55984955609464122842009-09-08T09:03:00.000-07:002009-09-09T07:04:12.606-07:002009 Economic Development Strategy<div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe0Myu1jrI/AAAAAAAAD78/i8XtWpy0nuA/s1600-h/River+View.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379466411786997426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 583px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 78px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe0Myu1jrI/AAAAAAAAD78/i8XtWpy0nuA/s400/River+View.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><strong>ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2009</strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>Introduction</strong><br />This Strategy is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan, and amplifies the Economic Development recommendations of the Plan and other plans developed and adopted by the City.<br /><br />The purpose of this Strategy is to provide direction for the City of Peoria Economic Development Department in their efforts to promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base, provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens, and assist the City in recovering from the current recession.<br /><br /><strong>Past Strategies and Plans</strong><br />The Comprehensive Plan focuses economic development efforts on office, commercial and industrial redevelopment. Redevelopment efforts began with projects in downtown neighborhoods and in development of the underutilized waterfront property. The City developed an aggressive program to renew and revitalize the older portions of the City near and south of downtown.<br /><br />The City has been engaged for the past two years in the renewal of the City Comprehensive Plan. The City has conducted extensive citizen participation as part of this process, conducting numerous focus groups and surveys. The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois has also developed a wide range of strategies to lead economic development. This strategy is consistent with and builds on those efforts.<br /><br />Previous studies included improvements to the Southern Gateway of the City, the redevelopment of Renaissance Park, the, Riverfront, Downtown, the Warehouse District, and the Heart of Peoria. Each one of the ten Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts also includes a redevelopment plan.<br /><br /><strong>Strategy Task Force</strong><br />In 2009 a task force of key economic development staff from the City, County, EDC and consultants met to briefly evaluate past accomplishments. The continuing national and local recession has created a need to review and reassess past strategies. The team reviewed strategy and proposed needed changes.<br /><br /><strong>Key Findings<br /></strong>▪ City efforts were succeeding despite the national recession<br />▪ The City is concerned about lost jobs and investment<br />▪ The training of our workforce is vital<br />▪ Improvements to the performance of our Schools are required<br />▪ More shovel ready industrial sites are needed<br />▪ The City core must be a vibrant civic, cultural and living environment<br />▪ Peoria continues to lose middle income residents<br />▪ Parts of the inner city continue to decline<br /><br /><strong>Post Recession Economy Challenges:<br /></strong>▪ Competition for business will increase<br />▪ The USA will continue to lose unskilled jobs<br />▪ Business retention will become more difficult<br />▪ Globalization will provide challenges / opportunities<br />▪ Business will become more high tech and white collar<br /><br /><br /><strong>Strategy<br /></strong>This strategy continues the efforts of previous plans and strategies, further refining existing programs, and improving our implementation strategy. It incorporates citizen input that was part of the comprehensive planning process and addresses negative trends that were identified in the development of the Comprehensive Plan. It adds some additional strategies which create a cohesive comprehensive economic development approach combining current programs with a vision for future opportunities. The strategy also incorporates current trends appropriate for Peoria in the development of business and industry.<br /><br /><strong>Economic Development Goals<br /></strong>▪Retain and Expand Existing Businesses<br />▪ Nurture and Grow New Businesses<br />▪ Revitalize the Heart of Peoria<br />▪ Increase Sustainable Development and “Green” Technology<br />▪ Attract New investment and Business<br />▪ Create a Positive Image of the City<br />▪ Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base<br />▪ Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages<br /><br /><strong>Retain and Expand Existing Businesses</strong><br />Keep what you have. Grow what you have. These two statements are a key for a successful economic development strategy and program. Too many economic development departments spend most of their time seeking new companies. Success begins with working to keep your existing business owners’ satisfied with their city, and then helping them succeed and expand.<br /><br />The City operates a dynamic Business Retention Program (PBI). Staff calls and meets with businesses in the community to better understand businesses and to determine if there are any concerns with City services or ordinances. Staff then works with the business toward a resolution of those concerns. This is also an excellent opportunity to inform business owners of city programs and incentives to help business expand in the City. It further advises staff of what the business community thinks, and lets staff know if changes are needed in City programs or services. This program will be continued and improved.<br /><br />The City also must continue to nurture relationships with its major employers. In this day and age when industry is often not led by local CEO’s, it continues to be important that the CEO of the City, its Mayor, be on a first name and relationship basis with the CEO’s of major industry. The recent move by Boeing from its long time Seattle headquarters, because among other items, its dissatisfaction with its treatment by the community highlights the need for this effort. Attention should be paid to the industrial and medical sectors of the City. This would be an effort supported the Economic Development Department and City Manager, but led by the Mayor with participation from other elected officials. </div><div><br /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379466405305775426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe0Mall9UI/AAAAAAAAD70/GCySWZ3GQXs/s400/ed+goals.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>Nurture and Grow Start-Up Businesses</strong><br />The City nurtures new and expanding businesses. Such efforts as the Peoria Next Innovation Center and Enterprise Zone as well as other incentives help to create new jobs from existing talent within the community. The City will continue to move as it has recently done to capture the results of its nurturing efforts by locating new business or industries in the City. The City should not support developmental efforts of business only to lose production facilities and active business as they enter the market. This will require all of the above strategies to work as well as creative thought to make incentives work.<br /><br />The City will also use Bradley University programs and the incubator as precursors for these efforts as well as discussions surrounding retirees and spin-offs from existing industries. What can the City do to support developing businesses, especially job producing businesses and industries that will be leaders in the new economy? The City should create an environment where it hears about new business creation opportunities. It should also try to capture the ensuing business or industry when providing incentives for development of the business or industries.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Revitalize the Heart of Peoria</strong><br />The City of Peoria continues to lose middle income residents. There are many reasons that can be sited for that trend. One is the international change in industrial production and the corresponding reduction in the need for semi and low skilled labor in the United States and the mid West specifically. Second, there was and continues to be a reduction in workers due to productivity improvements. Finally, workers have left as industries have relocated or closed.<br /><br />These trends have resulted in a loss of workers and the overstock of moderate income housing they once occupied; suppressing home values. Homes in older neighborhoods have not gained substantially in value, making middle income residents reluctant to purchase older homes in traditional middle income older neighborhoods. Instead, they choose newer housing both in and unfortunately, many times outside of the City. Discussions about crime have also lead to a fear of older neighborhoods. Finally, there are few alternatives for young professional and new empty nesters that prefer urban lifestyles.<br /><br />The City completed quality plans for the redevelopment of the Heart of Peoria, Renaissance Park, and the Warehouse District. This Strategy follows and expands the goals developed in those plans.<br /><br />The following strategies will be continued to resolve this problem.<br /><br />▪ Continue to seek companies providing jobs with good wages in strategies further developed in other sections of this Strategy.<br /><br />▪ Continue and expand upon marketing the first time home buyer incentives. This incentive should regularly be promoted with young professional and first time home buyers. These residents tend to be less fearful of crime and the incentive will help overcome concerns about property values. Because of fears of falling property values, the program might be enhanced to include all buyers in troubled neighborhoods to shore up pricing values and to maintain and reintroduce middle income buyers to these neighborhoods. As values increase in these neighborhoods, the need for the program is reduced and it can be phased out. An increase in housing values in these homes will also help to pay for the program.<br /><br />▪ Enhance Quality of Life programs. Efforts should be made to promote recreational and arts programs within the City. Current cable and public television promotions are not enough. The City should consider a yearly calendar of events which is then produced as a promotion item for both the Economic Development Department and the City as a whole. This could be updated monthly.<br />▪ Improve and implement the Artist Relocation Program that encourages artists to locate their homes, studios, and shops in older neighborhoods.<br /><br />▪ Continue the incentive program to support the purchase and rehabilitation of older homes and investigate new programs. Older homes inherently have additional maintenance costs. The City could recognize these maintenance costs in a program that promotes the purchase of older and historic homes through tax credits. As values increase in these neighborhoods, the need for the program is reduced and it can be phased out. This tax credit could encourage the maintenance and upkeep of single family historic homes. An increase in housing values in these homes will also help to pay for the program. Criteria would be necessary to target this program.<br /><br />▪ Working with other departments the Economic Development Department should identify land which could be purchased and cleared. Although there is a small budget for this, if done correctly, land banking could allow for additional new housing and commercial developments in redevelopment areas. The continued implementation of the Warehouse, Renaissance Park, and River trail Drive developments are examples of areas where this strategy could be successful. Additional housing alternatives in the downtown area are an attraction to the young and new workforce members as well as those seeking to downsize their homes.<br /><br />▪ Celebrate and ballyhoo the recent passage of the referendum for the museum. http://buildtheblock.com/ This is a major development. Passage of a referendum during an economic downturn where referenda for basic items as education and infrastructure failed across the State is a major accomplishment. This should be recognized as a symbol of the City’s support of and recognition of the importance of arts, culture and recreation.<br /><br />▪ Continue marketing and improving Renaissance Park, Warehouse, and River Trail Drive areas to attract homebuyers back to the inner city.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Increase Sustainable Development and “Green” Technology” Technology<br /></strong>The Environmental movement is now fully part of American and World thinking. Almost everyone agrees that we should improve our air and water quality, and use less energy. Local governments are becoming leaders in efforts to enhance Sustainability and implement Green Technology.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379467512715078962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe1M4Ai7TI/AAAAAAAAD8U/u3joEbU6tAA/s400/sustainable+development.jpg" border="0" /><br />The City of Peoria has created a Commission on Sustainability and Green Technology. This Commission is charged with “greening” our City. The following are items the Commission has identified for implementation:<br /><br />▪ Promote more efficient buildings<br />▪ Use passive solar orientation of buildings<br />▪ Encourage solar and wind energy systems<br />▪ Use recycled material in buildings<br />▪ Update City / County codes to permit and encourage “green” development<br />▪ Recycle building material waste<br />▪ Revisit development requirements, minimizing pavement widths and cost<br />▪ Encourage rain harvesting & irrigation<br />▪ Support the development of the local production of “green” technology equipment<br />▪ Support the use of natural landscaping<br />▪ Employ green roofs<br />▪ Incorporate bikeways and pedestrian paths into new and older developments<br />▪ Design wetlands, drainage systems, retention and bio swales into parks<br />▪ Improve City and County staff knowledge of “green” techniques<br />▪ Support quality construction for long lived buildings<br />▪ Encourage mixed use development<br />▪ Support walk to work programs<br />▪ Encourage development that supports transit<br />▪ Support efforts to redevelop older communities<br />▪ Permit Live / Work Space development<br />▪ Support natural open space and parks<br />▪ Use open surface natural drainage where feasible<br />▪ Require street trees<br />▪ Encourage the use of geothermal energy<br />▪ Support recycling<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379467508602728466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe1MosFcBI/AAAAAAAAD8M/L2NkxSj2Jvo/s400/sustainable+development+2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><strong>Attract New Investment and Business</strong><br />Attracting new investment and business to the City is a vital function. Some businesses will fail or move to overseas locations. New investment and new businesses must be sought to replace lost business and jobs, and to further grow our economy.<br /><br />The City works closely with the regional Economic Development Council (EDC) and with the State Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) on an aggressive attraction program. The City has professionally prepared brochures, an active electronic marketing program, and attends national business development conventions. Working with the State and EDC, the City responds to RFP’s from a variety of business interested in moving into the Midwest. The City also reaches out to a variety of businesses with direct mail, and initiates contacts with business that the city council or staff believes may fit the City.<br /><br />The City works with developers to provide affordable land, to make the development process seamless and to find incentives that will make this City more competitive in today’s market.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379466418700151154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe0NMfD6XI/AAAAAAAAD8E/ONnYhfKUKYY/s400/Attract+new+business.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>Create a Positive Image of the City</strong><br />Some citizens feel that Peoria has a negative image or they feel negatively toward the City. Rather than help promote the success of the City, these citizens inadvertently work to the City’s worst interest. It is important that the City promote itself internally. The City must work to instill pride in its citizens and staff.<br /><br />Likewise, the City must continue to promote itself externally. These efforts can be combined through regional efforts that showcase the metropolitan area. The City will continue to work with the EDC and others to showcase our City and region at various national events such as the International Shopping Center Conferences. We will cooperate in joint advertising in appropriate real estate magazines and in the development of promotional materials.<br /><br />The City has developed its own promotional materials and has a wide selection of materials available through E-Resources (Electronic Information on the Internet). The City should continue to use written materials and continue its efforts with E-Resources. The City has aggressively moved to provide very frequent E-updates of information about the City’s economic development opportunities. Currently, much of the City’s Economic Development information is published at:<br /><a href="http://peoria.blog.com/">http://peoria.blog.com/</a><br />The City will continue its E-Resource efforts, updating and improving them over time. The City will continue its wide use of Web Sites, Blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to market the City.<br /><br /><strong>Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base</strong><br />Peoria was and still is a major manufacturing City, but during the past ten years the City has diversified with professional and medical services increasing dramatically.<br /><br />The City will continue to encourage the diversification of the City economic base. High tech, medical, and “green” technology businesses are opening and expanding, and the City will support this encouraging trend.<br /><br /><strong>Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages</strong><br />The recent national recession has reached Peoria, and unemployment reached new highs in 2009. A major effort of this strategy must be to help restore our businesses and increase jobs, wages and income. To achieve that end we must:<br /><br /><strong>Create New Industrial Parks</strong><br />The need for a diversification of the economic base with its accompanying increase in good wage jobs is an ongoing theme for all economic development programs. Peoria finds itself at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring communities. Surrounding communities are prepared with low cost improved land ready for industry. Peoria does not have these sites and parks.<br /><br />Peoria currently lacks land ready for industrial development. Industrial redevelopment sites are available, but are not readily marketable even with incentives. Small redevelopment sites are available, but no improved land has been set aside for industrial purposes. When opportunities are available, either they bypass the City or the City scrambles to accommodate them. The City should work on a strategy to develop an industrial park that provides improved land at competitive prices<br /><br /><br /><strong>Improve the School System</strong><br />There have been many references to the need for improved schools in comments by residents, professionals and elected officials. While the continued improvement and provision of a quality education are laudable goals, they are ones which can have only one response by the City’s economic development program. If economic development programs result in an increase the City’s tax base within the School District’s boundaries, then the decreasing tax base and ongoing funding problems of the school system will diminish. However, to improve the tax base, it must be recognized that there is a need for the City and School District to collaborate on targeted incentives that result in a long term viable tax base for the City and its other taxing districts.<br /><br /><strong>Continue County, Regional, State and National Participation</strong><br />Working with other groups, learning from others mistakes and understanding new programs are all benefits for working outside the City. The City should continue its ongoing participation with other groups to nurture, refine and enhance economic development<br /><br />In addition, the City should use these groups to refine and enhance its economic development incentives themselves. Most knowledge of “best practices” for programs and incentives comes from associations with these groups. To know what is on the horizon and appropriately make it part of its program and incentive arsenal makes the City competitive in economic development. Participation in these groups allows the City to stay on top of, improve, and evaluate its program and incentive arsenal.<br /><br />Finally, participation in these groups helps educate staff. This education helps to make the staff more professional in their interactions within and out of the City. It improves the caliber of the City’s economic development efforts.<br /><br /><strong>Embrace the Future</strong><br />It has already been noted that the City should embrace the future by nurturing businesses that are going to create the jobs base for the future. The City should also embrace new technical programs that have the opportunity to result in long term job viability for the City. Such items as sustainability and new technologies are musts in this endeavor. Support of sustainability means more efficient businesses which are more likely to thrive. These efforts should continue in concert with Bradley University, Illinois Central College, the medical base as well as other industries and businesses in the City.<br /><br /><strong>Continue and Refine Existing Urban Redevelopment Programs</strong><br />While these are the last strategies listed, as they are not new endeavors; they are the most important strategies. They combine with many of the above strategies and are key to the future success of the City. These programs and their current status and the next key steps in their implementation are identified below.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379466401820125634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sqe0MNmjKcI/AAAAAAAAD7s/92GMIaQbwD0/s400/conclusion+pic.jpg" border="0" /><br /><strong>Conclusions</strong><br />Trend is not destiny. The current recession demands that the City work hard to improve our economy. This Strategy is dynamic, and must be frequently reviewed and revised as necessary. The City will follow this strategy, and revitalize our City and our economy.<br /><br /><br /><br />Following this strategy will promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base, provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens, and assist the City in recovering from the current recession.</div></div></div></div></div></div>C Hullingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782759243128511853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529355618873072156.post-10390530484409538662009-08-31T10:20:00.000-07:002009-08-31T12:11:30.957-07:00Economic Development Strategy September 2009<div><em><strong><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Introduction</span></span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/SpwchiMeEcI/AAAAAAAAD3g/uzB-Jq-Hmis/s320/Riverview.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 176px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376203417613898178" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This Strategy is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan, and amplifies the Economic Development recommendations of the Plan and other plans developed and adopted by the City. The purpose of this Strategy is to provide direction for the City of Peoria Economic Development Department in their efforts to promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base, provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens, and assist the City in recovering from the current recession.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><em><strong><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Past Strategies and Plans</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Comprehensive Plan focuses economic development efforts on office, commercial and industrial redevelopment. Redevelopment efforts began with projects in downtown neighborhoods and in development of the underutilized waterfront property. The City developed an aggressive program to renew and revitalize the older portions of the City near and south of downtown.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />The City has been engaged for the past two years in the renewal of the City Comprehensive Plan. The City has conducted extensive citizen participation as part of this process, conducting numerous focus groups and surveys. The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois has also developed a wide range of strategies to lead economic development. This strategy is consistent with and builds on those efforts.Previous studies included improvements to the Southern Gateway of the City, the redevelopment of Renaissance Park, the, Riverfront, Downtown, the Warehouse District, and the Heart of Peoria. Each one of the ten Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts also includes a redevelopment plan.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Strategy Task Force</span></span></strong></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />In 2009 a task force of key economic development staff from the City, County, EDC and consultants met to briefly evaluate past accomplishments. The continuing national and local recession has created a need to review and reassess past strategies. The team reviewed strategy and proposed needed changes.<br /></span></span><em><strong><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></em></div><div><em><strong><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Key Findings</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ City efforts were succeeding despite the national recession</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ The City is concerned about lost jobs and investment<br />▪ The training of our workforce is vital<br />▪ Improvements to the performance of our Schools are required<br />▪ More shovel ready industrial sites are needed<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ The City core must be a vibrant civic, cultural and living environment<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Peoria continues to lose middle income residents</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Parts of the inner city continue to decline</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Post Recession Economy Challenges:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Competition for business will increase<br />▪ The USA will continue to lose unskilled jobs<br />▪ Business retention will become more difficult<br />▪ Globalization will provide challenges / opportunities</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Business will become more high tech and white collar<br /><br /></span></span><span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Strategy </span></span></strong></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />This strategy continues the efforts of previous plans and strategies, further refining existing programs, and improving our implementation strategy. It incorporates citizen input that was part of the comprehensive planning process and addresses negative trends that were identified in the development of the Comprehensive Plan. It adds some additional strategies which create a cohesive comprehensive economic development approach combining current programs with a vision for future opportunities. The strategy also incorporates current trends appropriate for Peoria in the development of business and industry.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Economic Development Goals<br /></span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Retain and Expand Existing Businesses<br />▪ Nurture and Grow New Businesses</span></span><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/SpweC0-JuqI/AAAAAAAAD34/dCVUgGqzww0/s200/401Waterst.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376205089101429410" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Rebuild the Heart of Peoria</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Increase Sustainable Development and “Green” Technology<br />▪ Attract New investment and Business<br />▪ Create a Positive Image of the City<br />▪ Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">▪ Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Retain and Expand Existing Businesses</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Keep what you have. Grow what you have. These two statements are a key for a successful economic development strategy and program. Too many economic development departments spend their time seeking new companies. Success begins with working to keep your existing business owners’ satisfied with their city, and then helping them expand.<br /><br />The City operates a dynamic Business Retention Program (PBI). Staff calls and meets with businesses in the community to better understand businesses and to determine if there are any concerns with City services or ordinances. Staff then works with the business toward a resolution of those concerns. This is also an excellent opportunity to inform business owners of city programs and incentives to help business expand in the City. It further advises staff of what the business community thinks, and lets staff know if changes are needed in City programs or services. This program will be continued and improved.<br /><br />The City also must continue to nurture relationships with its major employers. In this day and age when industry is no longer led by local CEO’s, it continues to be important that the CEO of the City, its Mayor, be on a first name and relationship basis with the CEO’s of major industry. The recent move by Boeing from its long time Seattle headquarters, because among other items, its dissatisfaction with its treatment by the community highlights the need for this effort. Attention should be paid to the industrial and medical sectors of the City. This would be an effort supported the Economic Development Department and City Manager, but led by the Mayor with participation from other elected officials.<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nurture and Grow Start-Up Businesses</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />The City nurtures new and expanding businesses. Such efforts as the Peoria Next Innovation Center and Enterprise Zone as well as other incentives help to create new jobs from existing talent within the community. The City will continue to move as it has recently done to capture the results of its nurturing efforts by locating new business or industries in the City. The City should not support developmental efforts of business only to lose production facilities and active business as they enter the market. This will require all of the above strategies to work as well as creative thought to make incentives work.<br /><br />The City will also use Bradley University programs and the incubator as precursors for these efforts as well as discussions surrounding retirees and spin-offs from existing industries. What can the City do to support developing businesses, especially job producing businesses and industries that will be leaders in the new economy? The City should create an environment where it hears about new business creation opportunities. It should also try to capture the ensuing business or industry when providing incentives for development of the business or industries.<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rebuild the Heart of Peoria</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />The City of Peoria continues to lose middle income residents. There are many reasons that can be sited for that trend. One is the international change in industrial production and the corresponding reduction in the need for semi and low skilled labor in the United States and the mid West specifically. Second, there was and continues to be a reduction in workers due to productivity improvements. Finally, workers have left as industries have relocated or closed.<br /><br />These trends have resulted in a loss of workers and the overstock of moderate income housing they once occupied; artificially suppressing home values. Homes in older neighborhoods have not gained in value, making middle income residents reluctant to purchase older homes in traditional middle income older neighborhoods. Instead, they choose newer housing both in and unfortunately, many times outside of the City. Discussions about crime have also lead to a fear of older neighborhoods. Finally, there are few alternatives for young professional and new empty nesters that prefer urban lifestyles.<br /><br />The City completed quality plans for the redevelopment of the Heart of Peoria, Renaissance Park, and the Warehouse District. This Strategy follows and expands the goals developed in those plans.<br /><br />The following strategies will be continued to resolve this problem.<br /><br />▪ Continue to seek jobs with good wages in job development strategies further developed in other sections of this Strategy.<br /><br />▪ Continue and expand upon marketing the first time home buyer incentives. This incentive should regularly be promoted with young professional and first time home buyers. These residents tend to be less fearful of crime and the incentive will help overcome concerns about property values. Because of fears of falling property values, the program might be enhanced to include all buyers in troubled neighborhoods to shore up pricing values and to maintain and reintroduce middle income buyers to these neighborhoods. As values increase in these neighborhoods, the need for the program is reduced and it can be phased out. An increase in housing values in these homes will also help to pay for the program.<br /><br />▪ Enhance Quality of Life programs. Efforts should be made to promote all recreational and arts programs within the City. Current cable and public television promotions are not enough. The City should consider a yearly calendar of events which is then produced as a promotion item for both the Economic Development Department and the City as a whole. This could be updated monthly.<br /><br />▪ Improve and implement the Artist Relocation Program that encourages artists to locate their homes, studios, and shops in older neighborhoods.<br /><br />▪ Continue the incentive program to support the purchase and rehabilitation of older homes and investigate new programs. Older homes inherently have additional maintenance costs. The City could recognize these maintenance costs in a program that promotes the purchase of older and historic homes through tax credits. As values increase in these neighborhoods, the need for the program is reduced and it can be phased out. This tax credit could encourage the maintenance and upkeep of single family historic homes. An increase in housing values in these homes will also help to pay for the program. Criteria would be necessary to target this program. Working with other departments the Economic Development Department should identify land which could be purchased and cleared. Although there is a small budget for this, if done correctly, land banking could allow for additional new housing and commercial developments in redevelopment areas. The continued implementation of the Warehouse, Renaissance Park, and River trail Drive developments are examples of areas where this strategy could be successful. Additional housing alternatives in the downtown area are an attraction to the young and new workforce members as well as those seeking to downsize and down responsibility related to housing.<br /><br />▪ Celebrate and ballyhoo the recent passage of the referendum for the museum. http://buildtheblock.com/ This is a major development. Passage of a referendum during an economic downturn where referenda for basic items as education and infrastructure failed across the State is a major accomplishment. This should be recognized as a symbol of the City’s support of and recognition of the importance of arts, culture and recreation.<br /><br />▪ Continue marketing and improving Renaissance Park, Warehouse, and River Trail Drive areas to attract homebuyers back to the inner city.<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Increase Sustainable Development and “Green” Technology” Technology</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />The Environmental movement is now fully part of American and World thinking. Almost everyone agrees that we should improve our air and water quality, and use less energy. Local governments are becoming leaders in efforts to enhance Sustainability and implement Green Technology.<br /><br />The City of Peoria has created a Commission on Sustainability and Green Technology. This Commission is charged with “greening” our City. The following are items the Commission has identified for implementation:<br /><br />▪ Promote more efficient buildings<br />▪ Use passive solar orientation of buildings<br />▪ Encourage solar and wind energy systems<br />▪ Use recycled material in buildings<br />▪ Recycle building material waste<br />▪ Encourage rain harvesting & irrigation<br />▪ Support the use of natural landscaping<br />▪ Employ green roofs<br />▪ Improve City and County staff knowledge of “green” techniques<br />▪ Support quality construction for long lived buildings<br />▪ Encourage mixed use development<br />▪ Support walk to work programs<br />▪ Encourage development that supports transit<br />▪ Support efforts to redevelop older communities<br />▪ Permit Live / Work Space development<br />▪ Support natural open space and parks<br />▪ Design wetlands, drainage systems, retention and bio swales into parks<br />▪ Use open surface natural drainage where feasible<br />▪ Require street trees<br />▪ Encourage the use of geothermal energy<br />▪ Revisit development requirements, minimizing pavement widths and cost<br />▪ Update City / County codes to permit and encourage “green” development<br />▪ Support the development of the local production of “green” technology equipment<br />▪ Incorporate bikeways and pedestrian paths into new and older developments<br />▪ Support recycling<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Attract New Investment and Business</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Attracting new investment and business to the City is a vital function. Some businesses will fail or move to overseas locations. New investment and new businesses must be sought to replace lost business and jobs, and to further grow our economy.<br /><br />The City works closely with the regional EDC and with the State DCEO on an aggressive attraction program. The City has professionally prepared brochures, an active electronic marketing program, and attends national business development conventions. Working with the State and EDC, the City responds to RFP’s from a variety of business interested in moving into the Midwest. The City also reaches out to a variety of businesses with direct mail, and initiates contacts with business that staff or the Council believes may fit the City.<br /><br />The City works with developers to provide affordable land, to make the development process seamless and to find incentives that will make this City more competitive in today’s market.<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Create a Positive Image of the City</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Some citizens feel that Peoria has a negative image or they feel negatively toward the City. Rather than help promote the success of the City, these citizens inadvertently work to the City’s worst interest. It is important that the City promote itself internally. The City must work to instill pride in its citizens and staff.<br /><br />Likewise, the City must continue to promote itself externally. These efforts can be combined through regional efforts that showcase the metropolitan area. The City will continue to work with the EDC and others to showcase our City and region at various national events such as the International Shopping Center Conferences. We will cooperate in joint advertising in appropriate real estate magazines and in the development of promotional materials.<br /><br />The City has developed its own promotional materials and has a wide selection of materials available through E-Resources (Electronic Information on the Internet). The City should continue to use written materials and continue its efforts with E-Resources. The City has aggressively moved to provide very frequent E-updates of information about the City’s economic development opportunities. Currently, much of the City’s Economic Development information is published at: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 26, 139); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://peoria.blog.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://peoria.blog.com/</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City will continue its E-Resource efforts, updating and improving them over time. The City will continue its wide use of Web Sites, Blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to market the City.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base</span></span></em></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Peoria was and still is a major manufacturing City, but during the past ten years the City has diversified with professional and medical services increasing dramatically.<br />The City will continue to encourage the diversification of the City economic base. High tech, medical, and “green” technology businesses are opening and expanding, and the City will support this encouraging trend.<br /><br /></span></span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages</span></span></strong></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />The recent national recession has reached Peoria, and unemployment reached 9% in early 2009. A major effort of this strategy must be to help restore our businesses and increase jobs, wages and income. To achieve that end we must::<br /><br /></span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Create New Industrial Parks</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />The need for a diversification of the economic base with its accompanying increase in good wage jobs is an ongoing theme for all economic development programs. Peoria finds itself at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring communities. Surrounding communities are prepared with low cost improved land ready for industry. Peoria does not have these sites and parks.<br /><br />Peoria currently lacks land ready for industrial development. Industrial redevelopment sites are available, but are not readily marketable even with incentives. Small redevelopment sites are available, but no improved land has been set aside for industrial purposes. When opportunities are available, either they bypass the City or the City scrambles to accommodate them. The City should work on a strategy to develop an industrial park that provides improved land at competitive prices<br /><br /></span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Improve the School System</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />There have been many references to the need for improved schools in comments by residents, professionals and elected officials. While the continued improvement and provision of a quality education are laudable goals, they are ones which can have only one response by the City’s economic development program. If economic development programs result in an increase the City’s tax base within the School District’s boundaries, then the decreasing tax base and ongoing funding problems of the school system will diminish. However, to create the tax base, it must be recognized that there is a need for the City and School District to collaborate on targeted incentives that result in a long term viable tax base for the City and its other taxing districts.<br /><br /></span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Continue County, Regional, State and National Participation</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />Working with other groups, learning from others mistakes and understanding new programs are all benefits for working outside the City. The City should continue its ongoing participation with other groups to nurture, refine and enhance economic development<br /><br />In addition, the City should use these groups to refine and enhance its economic development incentives themselves. Most knowledge of “best practices” for programs and incentives comes from associations with these groups. To know what is on the horizon and appropriately make it part of its program and incentive arsenal makes the City competitive in economic development. Participation in these groups allows the City to stay on top of, improve, and evaluate its program and incentive arsenal.<br /><br />Finally, participation in these groups helps educate staff. This education helps to make the staff more professional in their interactions within and out of the City. It improves the caliber of the City’s economic development efforts.<br /><br /></span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Embrace the Future</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />It has already been noted that the City should embrace the future by nurturing businesses that are going to create the jobs base for the future. The City should also embrace new technical programs that have the opportunity to result in long term job viability for the City. Such items as sustainability and new technologies are musts in this endeavor. Support of sustainability means more efficient businesses which are more likely to thrive. These efforts should continue in concert with Bradley University, Illinois Central College, the medical base as well as other industries and businesses in the City.<br /><br /></span></span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Continue and Refine Existing Urban Redevelopment Programs</span></span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />While these are the last strategies listed, as they are not new endeavors; they are the most important strategies. They combine with many of the above strategies and are key to the future success of the City. These programs and their current status and the next key steps in their implementation are identified below.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><span><em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Conclusions</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Trend is not destiny. The current recession demands that the City work hard to improve our economy. This Strategy is dynamic, and must be frequently reviewed and revised as necessary. The City will follow this strategy, and revitalize our City and our economy.<br /><br />Following this strategy will promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base, provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens, and assist the City in recovering from the current recession.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div></div>C Hullingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782759243128511853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529355618873072156.post-23802532893615860822009-08-13T06:34:00.000-07:002009-10-05T09:24:28.800-07:00Entertainment<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Strategy for Entertainment</span></strong><br /><br />An important aspect in attracting and retaining residents is to provide entertainment that is appealing to all age ranges. Businesses should be encouraged to develop venues that create a positive image of the city. Venues would be within walking distance of major downtown landmarks.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">_____________________________</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://cityofpeoria.blogspot.com/2009/10/sustainable-economic-development.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sustainable Economic Development Strategy</span></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhly_OSK76s0jesbEScBM2_I5CPsp_5iff69gmNv_lW6vj2Fa1QwXn7qSG_KjrX0Lop-2nyp4wBhJnrDrbC2Ti8GFqfX9S4brQwxpxF3Dgi8bDADSleAY0g09jteJ6Wkql48OGlFEW7i5w/s1600-h/RenaissancePark.jpg"></a><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Sustainable Economic Development combines economic development and environmental improvement into one discipline. Follow the principles below: </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Leave your City better then you found it. </strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“</strong> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /> </div></span><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Increase Sustainability and Green Technology </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Retain and Expand Existing Businesses </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Nurture and Grow New Businesses </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/SsoQkVISZ0I/AAAAAAAAENc/Xp_b3JtbNOU/s1600-h/Islands+OverallPlan.JPG"></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Revitalize the Heart of Peoria </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Attract New investment and Business </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;">-</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Create a Positive Image of the City </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Promote efficient buildings<br /></div></span><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Use recycled material in buildings </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span><br /></div></span><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Recycle building material waste<br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Encourage rain harvesting & irrigation</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Use passive solar orientation of buildings</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Encourage solar and wind energy systems</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Employ green roofs </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span><br /></div></span><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Support the use of natural landscaping</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Improve municipal staff knowledge of “green” techniques</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Support quality construction for long lived buildings</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Encourage mixed use development</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Support walk to work programs </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span><br /></div></span><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Encourage development that supports transit</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Support efforts to redevelop older communities</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Permit Live / Work Space development</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Support natural open space and parks</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Use open surface natural drainage where feasible </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyzxyt5CQO4oJlrftx3oX7_sukra4H1BLAlAE0CX_kcj7F-cXKxOaL6fUXVeyYIqiZvKHTL5rvP6ZFtyW0Wx9n3OY-GV3ncetAyX2Uk67kqJP11ad2b7Ppi2JihHE5id2-LSOX0JN-JE/s1600-h/Washington+St+Streetscape+Before.jpg"></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">- </span><br />· Design wetlands, drainage systems, retention and bio swales into parks<br /></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Update codes to encourage “green” development</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Support the local production of “green” technology equipment</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Incorporate bikeways and pedestrian path </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/SsoNUPfPijI/AAAAAAAAEMs/iKhbNdqLjDk/s1600-h/Washington+Street+Streetscape.JPG"></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Minimize pavement widths & cost & material</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Encourage geothermal energy</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">· Require street trees </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span><br /></div></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>More info below:</strong> </span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="center"><br /></span></div><a href="http://peoria.blog.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://peoria.blog.com</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span><br /></span><a href="http://www.greenpeoria.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://www.greenpeoria.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">- </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhalOpvXcTWHhHipgEyLNRgMw7Ar8bKmjBQOUCUitlqbEUQ5_gQCr0_8K6THoT_F7Vh1Pjx-A8ewlGoQQKtHorydXsZLm6KnI1Tt4R1SnfQ6v8-ORMjrCEG8Sca0un1S1m9isBaPnYPk/s1600-h/Rivers+Edge+Redevelopment+Iniative.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://sustainablepeoria.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://sustainablepeoria.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">-<br /></span></span><a href="http://greencitydevelopment.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">http://greencitydevelopment.blogspot.com</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffffff;">-</span><br /><a href="mailto:Craighullinger@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:130%;">Craighullinger@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span><br />309 494 8640 </span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://peoria-global-strategy.googlegroups.com/web/Sustainable_Economic_Development_Strategy_2%5B1%5D.pdf?gsc=C2mPAwsAAAAtFEciD6cWEfsGU1hX0EaM">Printable Version - Click Here</a></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://peoria-global-strategy.googlegroups.com/web/Sustainable_Economic_Development_Strategy_2%5B1%5D.pdf?gsc=C2mPAwsAAAAtFEciD6cWEfsGU1hX0EaM"><span style="font-size:78%;">http://peoria-global-strategy.googlegroups.com/web/Sustainable_Economic_Development_Strategy_2%5B1%5D.pdf?gsc=C2mPAwsAAAAtFEciD6cWEfsGU1hX0EaM</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#ffffff;">-</span></div></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529355618873072156.post-91760524765629341972009-06-22T07:25:00.000-07:002009-06-22T07:27:32.664-07:00Economic Development Strategy - Draft 8 June 8, 2009<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is the eight draft of the proposed Economic Development Strategy for the City of Peoria, completed June 8, 2009. It will be incorporated into the newly revised City Comprehensive Plan, and will guide the activities of the City Economic Development Department. Your comments and suggestions for improvements will be appreciated.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 35px; line-height: 40px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 35px; line-height: 40px; ">Introduction</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">This Strategy is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan, and amplifies the Economic Development recommendations of the Plan and other plans developed and adopted by the City</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";font-variant:small-caps;color:#0070C0">The purpose of this Strategy is to provide direction for the City of Peoria Economic Development Department in their efforts to promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base, provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens, and assist the City in recovering from the current recession. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#0070C0"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <h1><span style="font-size:26.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Past Strategies and Plans<o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Comprehensive Plan focuses economic development efforts on office, commercial and industrial redevelopment. Redevelopment efforts began with projects in downtown neighborhoods and in development of the underutilized waterfront property. The City developed an aggressive program to renew and revitalize the older portions of the City near and south of downtown. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City has been engaged for the past two years in the renewal of the City Comprehensive Plan.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The City has conducted extensive citizen participation as part of this process, conducting numerous focus groups and surveys. The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois has also developed a wide range of strategies to lead economic development. This strategy is consistent with and builds on those efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Previous studies included improvements to the Southern Gateway of the City, the redevelopment of Renaissance Park, the, Riverfront, Downtown, the Warehouse District, and the Heart of Peoria.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each one of the ten Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts also includes a redevelopment plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1><span style="font-size:26.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Strategy Task Force <o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">In 2009 a task force of key economic development staff from the City, County, EDC and consultants met to briefly evaluate past accomplishments. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The continuing national and local recession has created a need to review and reassess past strategies. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The team reviewed strategy and proposed needed changes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1><span style="font-size:26.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%; font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Key Findings </span><span style="font-size:26.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">City efforts were succeeding despite the national recession<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">The City is concerned about lost jobs and investment<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">The training of our workforce is vital<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Improvements to the performance of our Schools are required <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">More shovel ready industrial sites are needed<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">The City core must be a vibrant civic, cultural and living environment <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Peoria continues to lose middle income residents<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Parts of the inner city continue to decline<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1><span style="font-size:26.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Post Recession Economy Challenges: <o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Competition for business will increase<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">The USA will continue to lose unskilled jobs<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Business retention will become more difficult<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Globalization will provide challenges / opportunities<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Business will become more high tech and white collar<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1><span style="font-size:26.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Strategy <o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">This strategy continues the efforts of previous plans and strategies, further refining existing programs, and improving our implementation strategy. It incorporates citizen input that was part of the comprehensive planning process and addresses negative trends that were identified in the development of the Comprehensive Plan. It adds some additional strategies which create a cohesive comprehensive economic development approach combining current programs with a vision for future opportunities. The strategy also incorporates current trends appropriate for Peoria in the development of business and industry. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br /> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Economic Development Goals<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol; color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Retain and Expand Existing Businesses</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nurture and Grow New Businesses</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Attract New investment and Business </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"">Create a Positive Image of the City </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Rebuild the Heart of Peoria</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Increase Sustainable Development and “Green” Technology</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";color:black">Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;line-height:115%">Retain and Expand Existing Businesses<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Keep what you have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Grow what you have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These two statements are a key for a successful economic development strategy and program. Too many economic development departments spend their time seeking new companies. Success begins with working to keep your existing business owners’ satisfied with their city, and then helping them expand.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City operates a dynamic Business Retention Program <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">(PBI). </b>Staff calls and meets with businesses in the community to better understand businesses and to determine if there are any concerns with City services or ordinances. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Staff then works with the business toward a resolution of those concerns. This is also an excellent opportunity to inform business owners of city programs and incentives to help business expand in the City. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It further advises staff of what the business community thinks, and lets staff know if changes are needed in City programs or services.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This program will be continued and improved.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City also must continue to nurture relationships with its major employers. In this day and age when industry is no longer led by local CEO’s, it continues to be important that the CEO of the City, its Mayor, be on a first name and relationship basis with the CEO’s of major industry. The recent move by Boeing from its long time Seattle headquarters, because among other items, its dissatisfaction with its treatment by the community, highlights the need for this effort. Attention should be paid to the industrial and medical sectors of the City. This would be an effort supported the Economic Development Department and City Manager, but led by the Mayor with participation from other elected officials. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br /> </span></b> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Nurture and Grow Start-Up Businesses<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City nurtures new and expanding businesses. Such efforts as the Peoria Next Innovation Center and Enterprise Zone as well as other incentives help to create new jobs from existing talent within the community. The City will continue to move as it has recently done to capture the results of its nurturing efforts by locating new business or industries in the City. The City should not support developmental efforts of business only to lose production facilities and active business as they enter the market. This will require all of the above strategies to work as well as creative thought to make incentives work. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City will also use Bradley University programs and the incubator as precursors for these efforts as well as discussions surrounding retirees and spin-offs from existing industries. What can the City do to support developing businesses, especially job producing businesses and industries that will be leaders in the new economy? The City should create an environment where it hears about new business creation opportunities. It should also try to capture the ensuing business or industry when providing incentives for development of the business or industries.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Attract New Investment and Business <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Attracting new investment and business to the City is a vital function.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some businesses will fail or move to overseas locations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>New investment and new businesses must be sought to replace lost business and jobs, and to further grow our economy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City works closely with the regional EDC and with the State DCEO on an aggressive attraction program. The City has professionally prepared brochures, an active electronic marketing program, and attends national business development conventions. Working with the State and EDC, the City responds to RFP’s from a variety of business interested in moving into the Midwest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The City also reaches out to a variety of businesses with direct mail, and initiates contacts with business that staff or the Council believes may fit the City.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City works with developers to provide affordable land, to make the development process seamless and to find incentives that will make this City more competitive in today’s market.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Create a Positive Image of the City <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Some citizens feel that Peoria has a negative image or they feel negatively toward the City. Rather than help promote the success of the City, these citizens inadvertently work to the City’s worst interest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is important that the City promote itself internally. The City must work to instill pride in its citizens and staff. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Likewise, the City must continue to promote itself externally. These efforts can be combined through regional efforts that showcase the metropolitan area. The City will continue to work with the EDC and others to showcase our City and region at various national events such as the International Shopping Center Conferences. We will cooperate in joint advertising in appropriate real estate magazines and in the development of promotional materials. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City has developed its own promotional materials and has a wide selection of materials available through E-Resources (Electronic Information on the Internet). The City should continue to use written materials and continue its efforts with E-Resources. The City has aggressively moved to provide very frequent E-updates of information about the City’s economic development opportunities. Currently, much of the City’s Economic Development information is published at:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><a href="http://peoria.blog.com/">http://peoria.blog.com/</a> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The City will continue its E-Resource efforts, updating and improving them over time. The City will continue its wide use of Web Sites, Blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to market the City.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Increase the Diversity of the Economic Base<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Peoria was and still is a major manufacturing City, but during the past ten years the City has diversified with professional and medical services increasing dramatically.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">The City will continue to encourage the diversification of the City economic base.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>High tech, medical, and “green” technology businesses are opening and expanding, and the City will support this encouraging trend. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Rebuild the Heart of Peoria<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City of Peoria continues to lose middle income residents. There are many reasons that can be sited for that trend. One is the international change in industrial production and the corresponding reduction in the need for semi and low skilled labor in the United States and the mid West specifically. Second, there was and continues to be a reduction in workers due to productivity improvements. Finally, workers have left as industries have relocated or closed. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">These trends have resulted in a loss of workers and the overstock of moderate income housing they once occupied; artificially suppressing home values. Homes in older neighborhoods have not gained in value, making middle income residents reluctant to purchase older homes in traditional middle income older neighborhoods. Instead, they choose newer housing both in and unfortunately, many times outside of the City. Discussions about crime have also lead to a fear of older neighborhoods. Finally, there are few alternatives for young professional and new empty nesters who prefer urban lifestyles. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The City completed quality plans for the redevelopment of the Heart of Peoria, Renaissance Park, and the Warehouse District.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This Strategy follows and expands the goals developed in those plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The following strategies will be continued to resolve this problem. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Continue to seek jobs with good wages in job development strategies further developed in other sections of this Strategy. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Continue and expand upon marketing the first time home buyer incentives. This incentive should regularly be promoted with young professional and first time home buyers. These residents tend to be less fearful of crime and the incentive will help overcome concerns about property values. Because of fears of falling property values, the program might be enhanced to include all buyers in troubled neighborhoods to shore up pricing values and to maintain and reintroduce middle income buyers to these neighborhoods. As values increase in these neighborhoods, the need for the program is reduced and it can be phased out. An increase in housing values in these homes will also help to pay for the program. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Enhance Quality of Life programs. Efforts should be made to promote all recreational and arts programs within the City. Current cable and public television promotions are not enough. The City should consider a yearly calendar of events which is then produced as a promotion item for both the Economic Development Department and the City as a whole. This could be updated monthly. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Improve and implement the Artist Relocation Program that encourages artists to locate their homes, studios, and shops in older neighborhoods. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; page-break-before:always;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Continue the incentive program to support the purchase and rehabilitation of older homes and investigate new programs. Older homes inherently have additional maintenance costs. The City could recognize these maintenance costs in a program that promotes the purchase of older and historic homes through tax credits. As values increase in these neighborhoods, the need for the program is reduced and it can be phased out. This tax credit could encourage the maintenance and upkeep of single family historic homes. An increase in housing values in these homes will also help to pay for the program. Criteria would be necessary to target this program. Working with other departments the Economic Development Department should identify land which could be purchased and cleared. Although there is a small budget for this, if done correctly, land banking could allow for additional new housing and commercial developments in redevelopment areas. The continued implementation of the Warehouse, Renaissance Park, and River trail Drive developments are examples of areas where this strategy could be successful. Additional housing alternatives in the downtown area are an attraction to the young and new workforce members as well as those seeking to downsize and down responsibility related to housing. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Celebrate and ballyhoo the recent passage of the referendum for the museum. </span><a href="http://buildtheblock.com/"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">http://buildtheblock.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is a major development. Passage of a referendum during an economic downturn where referenda for basic items as education and infrastructure failed across the State </span><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#0070C0">is a major accomplishment</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";color:#0070C0">.</span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> This should be recognized as a symbol of the City’s support of and recognition of the importance of arts, culture and recreation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Continue marketing and improving Renaissance Park, Warehouse, and River Trail Drive areas to attract homebuyers back to the inner city. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Increase Sustainable Development and “Green” Technology</span><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#336699; mso-no-proof:yes"> </span><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Environmental movement is now fully part of American and World thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Almost everyone agrees that we should improve our air and water quality, and use less energy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Local governments are becoming leaders in efforts to enhance Sustainability and implement Green Technology.<span style="color:#333333"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333">The City of Peoria has created a Commission on Sustainability and Green Technology.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This Commission is charged with </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“greening” our City. <span style="color:#333333">The following are items the Commission has identified for implementation: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Promote more efficient buildings<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Use passive solar orientation of buildings<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Encourage solar and wind energy systems <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Use recycled material in buildings<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Recycle building material waste<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Encourage rain harvesting & irrigation<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support the use of natural landscaping<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Employ green roofs<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Improve City and County staff knowledge of “green” techniques<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support quality construction for long lived buildings<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Encourage mixed use development<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support walk to work programs<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Encourage development that supports transit<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support efforts to redevelop older communities<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Permit Live / Work Space development<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support natural open space and parks<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Design wetlands, drainage systems, retention and bio swales into parks<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Use open surface natural drainage where feasible<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Require street trees<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Encourage the use of geothermal energy<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Revisit development requirements, minimizing pavement widths and cost<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Update City / County codes to permit and encourage “green” development<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support the development of the local production of “green” technology equipment <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Incorporate bikeways and pedestrian paths into new and older developments<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo5"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Support recycling<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%">Provide Solid Jobs at Good Wages<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The recent national recession has reached Peoria, and unemployment reached 9% in early 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A major effort of this strategy must be to help restore our businesses and increase jobs, wages and income.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To achieve that end we must:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";font-style:normal">Create New Industrial Parks <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The need for a diversification of the economic base with its accompanying increase in good wage jobs is an ongoing theme for all economic development programs. Peoria finds itself at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring communities. Surrounding communities are prepared with low cost improved land ready for industry. Peoria does not have these sites and parks. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Peoria currently lacks land ready for industrial development. Industrial redevelopment sites are available, but are not readily marketable even with incentives. Small redevelopment sites are available, but no improved land has been set aside for industrial purposes. When opportunities are available, either they bypass the City or the City scrambles to accommodate them. The City should work on a strategy to develop an industrial park that provides improved land at competitive prices.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="font-family:"Cambria","serif"">Improve the School System <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">There have been many references to the need for improved schools in comments by residents, professionals and elected officials. While the continued improvement and provision of a quality education are laudable goals, they are ones which can have only one response by the City’s economic development program. If economic development programs result in an increase the City’s tax base within the School District’s boundaries, then the decreasing tax base and ongoing funding problems of the school system will diminish. However, to create the tax base, it must be recognized that there is a need for the City and School District to collaborate on targeted incentives that result in a long term viable tax base for the City and its other taxing districts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";font-style:normal">Continue County, Regional, State and National Participation<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Working with other groups, learning from others mistakes and understanding new programs are all benefits for working outside the City. The City should continue its ongoing participation with other groups to nurture, refine and enhance economic development <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In addition, the City should use these groups to refine and enhance its economic development incentives themselves. Most knowledge of “best practices” for programs and incentives comes from associations with these groups. To know what is on the horizon and appropriately make it part of its program and incentive arsenal makes the City competitive in economic development. Participation in these groups allows the City to stay on top of, improve, and evaluate its program and incentive arsenal. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Finally, participation in these groups helps educate staff. This education helps to make the staff more professional in their interactions within and out of the City. It improves the caliber of the City’s economic development efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoSubtitle"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif";font-style:normal">Embrace the Future <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">It has already been noted that the City should embrace the future by nurturing businesses that are going to create the jobs base for the future. The City should also embrace new technical programs that have the opportunity to result in long term job viability for the City. Such items as sustainability and new technologies are musts in this endeavor. Support of sustainability means more efficient businesses which are more likely to thrive. These efforts should continue in concert with Bradley University, Illinois Central College, the medical base as well as other industries and businesses in the City. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:3.0pt; margin-left:0in;text-align:justify"><span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Continue and Refine Existing Urban Redevelopment Programs<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While these are the last strategies listed, as they are not new endeavors; they are the most important strategies. They combine with many of the above strategies and are key to the future success of the City. These programs and their current status and the next key steps in their implementation are identified below. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <h1><span style="font-size:26.0pt;line-height:115%;font-weight:normal; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Conclusions </span><span style="font-size:26.0pt; line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">Trend is not destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The current recession demands that the City work hard to improve our economy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This Strategy is dynamic, and must be frequently reviewed and revised as necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The City will follow this strategy, and revitalize our City and our economy.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; font-variant:small-caps;color:#0070C0">Following this strategy will promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base, provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens, and assist the City in recovering from the current recession.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>C Hullingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782759243128511853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529355618873072156.post-26985484124843546832009-05-15T12:11:00.000-07:002009-05-16T05:53:28.322-07:00Strategy 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sg3P1NSYQ1I/AAAAAAAAC64/Puuzcl8U31M/s1600-h/Peoria_Logo_Color.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sg3P1NSYQ1I/AAAAAAAAC64/Puuzcl8U31M/s200/Peoria_Logo_Color.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336149646510670674" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" style="padding-left: 5%; padding-right: 10%; "><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><div style="text-align: center; font-size:41px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; font-size:41px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Economic Development Strategy </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div size="41px" style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">preliminary draft #3 May 15, 2009 </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style=" font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://amadeo.blog.com/repository/1872442/4023704.jpg" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://amadeo.blog.com/repository/1872442/4023704.510.384.c.tn.jpg" class="yui-img" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; " /></span></span></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style=" ;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Preamble</span></span></span></b></span></div><div><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This Economic Development Strategy has been developed to serve as a “road map” to help make Peoria a more attractive place to live, work and play. The Strategy will direct the work of the City of Peoria Economic Development Department towards specific tasks. It will result in accomplishing specific goals that will promote economic growth, increase the diversity of the economic base and provide good wages for Peoria’s citizens.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Accomplishment of these goals will support continued growth and development. It will improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Achievement of these goals does require collaboration and commitment among citizens and organizations with a diversity of interests. </span></span></span></span></span></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This strategy is designed to help allocate and prioritize our use of public and private resources. It recommends the concentration of resources on specific goals. The City calls on other organizations to incorporate this strategy into their efforts. </span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center; "><b><span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Any road will do when you we don't know where we're going</span></span></span></span></span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-weight: bold; "><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Why plan, Whey We can React? </span></span></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Government always reacts to the latest crisis. We are often so busy fighting fires that we forget to carefully plan our future efforts. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While it is vital to resolve critical issues quickly, it is also important to periodically take the time to think through what we doing, and analyze the long term impact of our efforts. The n new policies and programs should be developed, implemented, reviewed, and revise when necessary.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Trend is not Destiny</span></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Grant us the Courage to change what should be changed</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The Serenity to to accept the things we cannot change</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the Wisdom to know the difference.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span></span><div><b><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">History – Current Strategy</span></span></span></span></span></b><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City of Peoria has a long history in guiding economic development, both with the City Comprehensive Plan and with targeted area strategies. The 1998 Strategic Plan for the city focused departmental energy and resources on office, commercial and industrial development. It also focused on urban redevelopment of downtown neighborhoods and surrounding underutilized waterfront property. </span></span></span></span></span></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City of Peoria completed the Heart of Peoria Plan in 2002 which advocated an aggressive effort to revive and revitalize the inner city with new urban development focused on the dynamic downtown and riverfront. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://heartofpeoria.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://heartofpeoria.blogspot.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City completed the Renaissance Park (Med-Tech) Plan in 2005. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.renaissanceparkpeoria.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.renaissanceparkpeoria.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 128, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City has developed and implemented an Enterprise Zone and ten Tax Increment Financing Districts over the past thirty years. The Southern Gateway Plan with Warehouse District and Eagle View TIF's were completed in 2007. The Hospitality Improvement Zone with Business Development And TIF were completed in 2008. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sg3OAgrnGII/AAAAAAAAC6g/NAkIOp3bdPw/s320/Eagle+View.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336147641672079490" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://southerngateway.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://southerngateway.blogspot.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(74, 82, 90); "><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 255); "><a href="http://eagleviewpeoria.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://eagleviewpeoria.blogspot.com</span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 128, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 128, 255); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(74, 82, 90); "><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 255); "><a href="http://warehousedistrict.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://warehousedistrict.blogspot.com</span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The city in 2009 was in the final year of a three year Comprehensive Planning process. The City reached out to the entire city, and conducted numerous public meetings and surveys to garner public input. Economic Develoment was and is a major concern of our citizens and business. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The findings of the planning process were an important input into this Strategy. This strategy is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and designed to implement the goals of the Plan. It is part of the implementation process of the Plan.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/comprehensive-plan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/comprehensive-plan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois is our regional leader in economic development. The region, County, and City work together to im</span></span></span></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/Sg3MID-dsYI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/VtMeRfjV2p0/s320/methodist+under+construction.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336145572382224770" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">prove the region. The City worked with the County and the EDC to develop the CED</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) which guides economic development in the region. The City strategy is consistent with the regional strategy, and amplifies and refines</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> the strategy. The EDC has recently completed an aggressive program to lead economic development among the following sectors:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://www.edc.centralillinois.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.edc.centralillinois.org</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://www.edc.centralillinois.org/content/targeted-industry-clusters"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.edc.centralillinois.org/content/targeted-industry-clusters</span></span></a></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Technology Commercialization</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Intermodal Logistics </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Healthcare Services </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Energy Agri-business & Agri-Science </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Visitor Based Economy </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Retail </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Specialized Manufacturing </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Professional & Technical Services </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Global Trade </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li></ul></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 2008 City Economic Development Staff internally developed a short stategy to guide City Economic Development.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(74, 82, 90); "><span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(74, 82, 90); "><span><span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(74, 82, 90); "><span><span><div style="text-align: center; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://peoriastrategy.blogspot.com/2008/03/economic-development-strategy-executive.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://peoriastrategy.blogspot.com/2008/03/economic-development-strategy-executive.html</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><p><span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our Economic Developmengt Goals</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Promote economic growth</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Increase the diversity of the economic base</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Provide solid jobs at good wages for Peoria’s citizens</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></li></ul></div></span></span></span></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Towards these ends the City will:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lead the redevelopment of older areas<br /></span></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plan for more affordable industrial land<br /></span></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Compete with surrounding communities<br /></span></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Promote Sustainable Development<br /></span></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Strive to lower taxes<br /></span></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Market the city<br /></span></span></li></ul></span></span></span></span></span></p></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City Economic Development staff have also implemented an aggressive effort to improve transparency of governmental economic development actions. To improve communication with citizens and developers the Department publishes most programs on a series of blogs on the link below:</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><a href="http://peoria.blog.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://peoria.blog.com</span></span></span></a></span></span></span><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The City Web Site also contains substantial information on economic development</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); "><a href="http://peoriadevelopment.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://peoriadevelopment.com</span></span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On April 20, 2009 a workshop was held bringing together a task force of key economic development staff from the City, County, EDC and consultants to briefly evaluate past accomplishments, review strategy and discuss needed changes. </span></span></span></span></span></div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Key Findings of the Taskforce </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There was a consensus that economic development was succeeding. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Past strategy driven economic development actions have achieved results. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The strategy helps position the City to replace lost jobs and investment. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">City efforts were succeeding despite the national recession. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We must improve our educated and trained workforce</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We need more development ready industrial sites</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A central core of the city must provide a vibrant civic, cultural and living environment </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Post Recession Economy will be different </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Globilization will continue to provide challenges and opportunties</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Traditional economic development efforts to lead business expansion / recruitment, marketing / promotion, and community development using governmental inducements will remain the principle focus of the economic development strategy </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The taskforce identified ten influencers that will shape the future direction of the City of Peoria economic development strategy. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Potential changes to, or expiration of, state/federal incentive programs. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Educational system impact upon workforce and neighborhood redevelopment. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Availability of “shovel ready” sites for business location. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Interest of “non local” capital and development risk expertise. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Communitywide self image. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Government financial capacity and reliance on state/federal leverage for project success. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. Increased job retention/expansion reliance upon dominate employers and their suppliers. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. Provision of alternative residential ‘life-style” neighborhood living environments. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9. Future growth and regional dominance of local health care institutions. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10. Expansion of downtown jobs as the “driver” of central city and waterfront redevelopment. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style=" ;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Conclusions </span></span></span></b></span></span></div><div><span style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><b><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Conclusions </span></span></span></b><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many of the strategic plan goals will require future population growth and economic strength greater than historic trends or future projections offered by demographers and economists. The future economic strategy will require “making specific and measured investments for the future” characterized with: </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Communitywide support. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Collaboration and partnership with others. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Use of state/federal financing leverage.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Incentives leveraging private capital. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. “Non local” capital and development capacity. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Locally originated employment. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. Opportunities transforming neighborhood living environments. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. Communitywide recognition of improved self image. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9. Development risk shared between government and private interests. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></span></div></div></div>C Hullingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782759243128511853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529355618873072156.post-2359195989069051912008-03-11T16:28:00.000-07:002009-05-15T12:13:49.528-07:00Strategy 2008<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/R9cXV1k1FoI/AAAAAAAABHo/8zX6e9RY6vw/s1600-h/hop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176631960611919490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_PpQmQ9kiZwU/R9cXV1k1FoI/AAAAAAAABHo/8zX6e9RY6vw/s400/hop.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Economic Development Strategy - Executive Summary<br />March 15, 2008</strong></span></div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><div align="left"><br />The City of Peoria is a quality community located in central Illinois. The City has tremendous assets that make Peoria an attractive place to live, work and play. </div><div align="left"></div><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Our goals are to:</strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Promote economic growth<br />Increase the diversity of the economic base<br />Provide solid jobs at good wages for Peoria’s citizens</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Towards these ends the City will:</strong><br /><br />Lead the redevelopment of older areas<br />Plan for more affordable industrial land<br />Compete with surrounding communities </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Promote Sustainable Development<br />Strive to lower taxes<br />Market the city</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Special focus areas include:</strong><br /><br />The Southern Gateway<br />Eagle View Biotech Park with Tax Increment Financing<br />The Warehouse / Arts District with Tax Increment Financing<br />Renaissance Park (Med-Tech)<br />The Riverfront<br />The Growth Cells<br />Sheridan / McClure Business District<br />Prospect Road Business District<br />Other areas as directed by City Council<br /><br /><strong>Current City efforts include:</strong><br /><br />Nine Tax Increment Financing Districts<br />An Enterprise Zone<br />An aggressive marketing effort</span></p></span>C Hullingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13782759243128511853noreply@blogger.com0