Having a successful business is about more than just sales – it’s about recruiting and retaining an excellent workforce.  Peoria is a great place to live, work and play, and whether you are looking to hire the members of our community or attract talent from elsewhere, our quality of life will be an asset.  Experience big-city amenities like an opera, professional sports and museums without the high prices or long lines.

BEST PLACE TO LIVE

National Geographic Adventure magazine picked Peoria as one of its 50 next great American adventure towns in which to live and play. To create the list, the magazine searched for 'innovative towns that aren't just prime relocation spots now, but also smart choices for the future.

http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/weekend-getaways/best-places-to-live/central-text

PEORIA - MIGHTY MICRO CITY

PEORIA RANKED NUMBER 16
FOR MIGHTY MICRO CITIES

Next Generation Consulting (NGC): "Young knowledge workers said that where they lived was more important than where they worked. Furthermore, Census figures indicate that from 1990 to 2000, only a handful of cities had a net in-migration of young knowledge workers, while 90 percent of America’s cities suffered a net loss. In other words, cities that can attract and retain these highly mobile young knowledge workers will reap economic gains.

"http://www.areadevelopment.com/siteSelection/august09/next-generation-cities-knowledge-workers.shtml

Congratulations and Thanks to Everyone who helped make this happen.

Housing Up

Peoria Housing up 7.2% while the nation went down 7.7% - first quarter of 2008 compared to first quarter of 2007.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/12/real_estate/Q12008_home_prices/index.htm?postversion=2008051415
 

BEST CITIES IN AMERICA

Peoria jumped from #68 to #42 on the Milken Institute index of best cities in America. The Best-Performing Cities index measures U.S. metropolitan areas to find the most successful at job creation and retention, the quality of jobs being produced, and overall economic performance.

http://www.milkeninstitute.org/

INC. MAGAZINE'S 2008 BEST CITIES TO DO BUSINESS FOR MIDSIZE CITIES

Inc.com, the Daily Resource for Entrepreneurs, has given Peoria it's highest rating in Illinois, substantially higher than our major competitors. We moved up from #67 to #21 on Inc. Magazine’s 2008 Best Cities to do Business for Midsize Cities, and ranked #83 in Overall Cities, up 125 spots from #208 last year.

http://www.inc.com/bestcities/2008/bestlimited.html?size=2&year=2008&display=30