PEORIA, Ill. – A new initiative launching next month aims to bring in new talent to the Peoria-area.
“Choose Greater Peoria” will debut on May 1st. Its focus will be on attracting talent to the region, branding to promote the area, and positive messaging help local residents think more highly of their home.
The initiative is led by The Gilmore Foundation. Executive Director Laura Cullinan says there are plenty of opportunities in Peoria for those that want them.
“There are tens of thousands high-paying excellent jobs here that are open right now. And we want to help our businesses fill them so that they say here and we continue to help this region grow,” Cullinan said.
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joshua Gunn the initiative will be successful if they they fill all the open jobs. But he adds there’s another component to that.
“This region has been declining in populations for decades. So by the next U.S. Census, if we have demonstrative population growth, that’s a huge win. Not only because it means we attracted people, but it also means we retained people here as well, which is another piece of this campaign,” Gunn said.
Gunn adds that having people locally speak positively about their home is another factor in bringing in new talent to the region. It’s something he experienced first-hand moving from Durham, NC to Peoria for his job at the Chamber.
“While the Chamber was saying great things to me and the search committee was saying great things to me, the rest of the folks in the community that I met, who had no idea who I was, maybe had a different narrative to tell,” Gunn said. “And we have to be intentional about making everyone feel included in that effort, so that that community pride resonates.”
Gunn says one thing to stress in that effort is emphasizing a lower cost of living in Peoria, compared to bigger cities. The campaign will also focus on a healthier work-life balance with amenities in the region.
