Where Innovation and Manufacturing meet.
Peoria has long been known for its manufacturing prowess. From its early days as the “Whiskey Capital of the World”, to its vital role in the mass production of penicillin during WWII, to the growth of Caterpillar as the world-leader in earth movers, Greater Peoria continues evolving, but remains true to its spirit: We are makers.
The Next Innovation: Biotechnology
Supported by our manufacturing and medical ecosystems and a community of supportive resources, Greater Peoria is strongly positioned to become a biomedical manufacturing leader in the Midwest.
GP is home to one of the largest USDA Agricultural Research Centers in the country.
During WWII, the Ag Lab was responsible for perfecting the process which made the mass-production of penicillin possible. Today, the lab continues its groundbreaking work solving difficult challenges in agriculture, biotechnology and public health.
BioMedical Manufacturing Ecosystem
The Peoria NEXT Innovation Center
Bradley University is the home to 10 wet labs and 10 dry labs for researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs that are transforming new technologies and innovations into commercial enterprises. The Innovation Center leverages the strengths of Caterpillar Inc., the USDA Agriculture Laboratory, Bradley University and other health-science and technology organizations throughout the region to mature start up companies to commercial successes. Companies in the fields of medical devices, mechanical engineering, molecular studies, biofuels and information technology are current tenants in the Innovation Center.
We work closely with Bradley and can introduce you to anyone of interest to your work.
Jump Simulation and Education Center
Jump, located on OSF’s campus is one of the world’s largest medical simulation centers. They are merging the most innovative minds with the most innovative technology. At Jump Sim, they provide witness to the different processes of health care. They discern through research how these processes can be improved. And they act to change those processes through innovative thinking for the benefit of the people they serve.
Jump also offers biomedical related engineering fellowship.
Jump ARCHES
Peoria is home to one of the nation’s largest foundations that is solely committed to funding research, prototyping, and deployment of biomedical engineering projects. Jump Applied Research through Community Health through Engineering and Simulation (ARCHES) is a partnership between Jump Simulation and Education Center at OSF HealthCare and HCESC in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois. It was established in 2014 by a $62.5 million gift to provide direct access and competitive grants to engineers and physicians working together to combat problems in the realm of healthcare.
Airport Access & Connectivity
The Greater Peoria Airport is serviced by American, United and Allegiant Airlines and provides 12 direct flight destinations to area residents. The region is also serviced by an Amtrak station in Bloomington/Normal and a great central location for reaching the world from the heart of Illinois.
You can travel to 12 direct flight destinations from General Wayne A. Downing Airport (PIA) and reach more than half the globe in a 2 legged flight. Plus the parking is free and the lines through the airport move quickly. You won’t believe how easy air travel is from Peoria.
From PIA:
- American Airlines takes you to Chicago, Dallas & Charlotte
- United Airlines takes you to Chicago
- Allegiant Air takes you to – Las Vesgas, Mesa, Orlando, Punta Gorda, Destin, St. Petersburg, Nashville and Denver
Flying from Peoria is often the cheapest and easiest way to travel in and out of the community, but if other options are preferred, you can get to the following airports in no time at all.
Peoria is located along Interstate 74 and travel time is just a few hours from several metropolitian areas:
Greater Peoria Sites to Consider
The GP region offers a range of development options, a sampling of which is highlighted here. You will find a historic warehouse property for redevelopment, an empty plot of land for new construction and a facility that could be easily and quickly repurposed for lab space. This is a highlighted list of options in the community.
New Construction Opportunity in Downtown Peoria
- Address: 1001 SW Jefferson, Peoria, IL
- Building designed for this space.
- Pin Number: 1809308044
- Lot size: 1.82 acres
- All Utilities to the site
- Price: Negotiable with owner
Local Incentives Available:
- Federal Opportunity Zone
- Foreign Trade Zone
- HUB Zone
- Peoria Urban Enterprise Zone
- Peoria County GAP loan
- TRVDA Industrial Revenue Bond
- Additional state incentives available
Quick Access to Market – Redevelopment Opportunity
- Address: 7921 N Hale, Peoria, IL
- Pin Number: 1405451016
- Lot size: 4.6 acres of land
- 51,600 sf metal warehouse building
- 30’ ceilings
- High Cube Warehouse & Distribution Building
- $48.45/sf lease; $2,500,000 purchase price
Local Incentives Available:
- Peoria Urban Enterprise Zone
- Peoria County GAP loan
- TRVDA Industrial Revenue Bond
- Additional state incentives available
Designed Lab Space Renders – 1001 SW Jefferson
Designed Lab Space Renders – 7921 N Hale
Special thanks to BSA LifeStructures for these outstanding renderings and to O’Shea Builders for the project timeline.
BSA LifeStructures designs facilities that support, enhance and inspire healing, learning, and discovery.
O’Shea Builders is a leading commercial construction-services provider in Illinois. They provide General Contracting, Construction Management, Design-Build, Civil Construction, and Building Maintenance services.
Building Projects Timeline
Supportive Resources
Location Strengths
• Access both coasts in the same amount of shipping time
• 2.5 hours to both Chicago and St. Louis
• Barge, rail, air and truck shipping available year round
• The only downstate Customs Agent in IL
• Collaborative and committed stakeholders that work to ensure a project’s success
Operational Cost Savings
• Opportunity Zones
• TIFF Districts
• Enterprise Zones
• Foreign Trade Zone
• Some of the lowest Energy Rates in the country
Peoria Bio-Made
Jake Becraft of Strand Therapeutics, the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and stakeholders in the Peoria area are working to realize the Peoria Bio-Made initiative and how it is positioning Peoria, IL to be the next BioMedical Manufacturing hub of the United States.
As stated in Jake’s Op Ed, shared here, Peoria’s legacy as the country’s original biomedical manufacturing location, its healthcare cluster, extraordinarily low utility rates and operational costs make GP an ideal US location for BioMedical Manufacturing.
Resources
Want to delve deeper into Biomedical Manufacturing in the region and all the resources available? Download our brochure below.
Want To Learn More? Contact Us.
Lenora Fisher
Greater Peoria Economic Development Council
Director of Business Attraction
C: 309-253-6010
E: lfisher@greaterpeoriaedc.org
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