Welcome to your access point for business opportunities in Central Illinois area. The Economic Development Council for Central Illinois serves the businesses and communities of the greater Peoria area by strengthening local business structure and assisting companies in relocating or expanding to our region.

Ten industry clusters have been targeted by the EDC for growth in our region.

Click here to learn more about these targeted industries and the EDC Strategy Groups.
EDC Recent News
Study Reports Peoria is a Resurgent City
March 8, 2010

According to the December 2009 issue of Profitwise News and Views, a publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Peoria was identified as one of ten US resurgent cities. Rick Mattoon, a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago senior economist and economic advisor, cited a study from the Boston Fed entitled, "Reinvigorating Springfield's Economy: Lessons from Resurgent Cities." The report stated that across the ten cities, industry mix, demographics, and geography were not the dominant factors in their renewal. Rather, the principal factor is social capital - leadership from government, nonprofit, and business sectors.

Driving Change in Regional Manufacturing
March 5, 2010

by Cindy Patterson, Economic Development Council for Central Illinois

The Specialized Manufacturing Strategy Group of the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois (EDC) is driving change. This diverse group of manufacturers, economic development and business resource professionals gather regularly to explore new manufacturing opportunities to diversify their businesses and strengthen our region. [Full Story]

Economic Climate 2010 Event Wrap-up
February 25, 2010

Well over 100 people were in attendance for the Economic Climate 2010 presentation Thursday morning.

A Bright Spot for the Peoria Metro
February 11, 2010

by Jessica Moroz, Economic Development Council for Central Illinois
We have dealt with immense struggles during this economic crisis, and yet we have refused to ignore that this region has many bright spots. One such bright spot is the healthcare industry. [Full Story]

Peoria: A Healthcare Hotspot
February 11, 2010

by: Jim McConoughey, Heartland Partnership
The Peoria Metro has been center stage for Vaudeville, a whiskey capital and a manufacturing mecca. Could the region become a healthcare hotspot next? [Full Story]