PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria-area economic leaders on Tuesday released a report related to discussions generated through The Big Table.
Morton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leigh Ann Brown says more than 400 people from 14 counties contributed to the workshop session back in October.
One topic The Big Table focused on was diversity and inclusion, with a specific focus on health care equity for lower income residents and minorities.
Peoria Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Joshua Gunn says some of the concerns in that area include language barriers, concerns over transportation, having the right insurance, and access to needed technology.
He says hiring more people of color into medical fields in the region can help address some of those concerns.
“It’s a critical, critical need in our region that people can see themselves represented in their health care providers,” Gunn said. “The data tells us that when there is greater diversity in the health care workforce, there’s better outcomes for marginalized communities and communities of color.”
Gunn says they also want to ensure that access to health care isn’t limited to someone based on their sexual identity. And to start early intervention for people to address mental health, especially in younger people.
The Big Table also focused on quality of life improvements in the Peoria region. Pekin Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy McCoy says that has to start at home.
“We want for our own community members to believe that we are a valued destination. We are somewhere where people want to come and visit and hang out and have fun. And we want visitors from around to country to come here and think that as well,” McCoy said.
According to the report, the most prominent concerns include the lack of a vibrant downtown area, not enough entertainment for young adults in the region, and trying to combat negative talk about the Peoria area.
McCoy believes a step in the right direction is embracing the history of the region, specifically industrial history. There’s also putting an emphasis on Midwestern hospitality.
Discover Peoria CEO J.D. Dalfonso says there should also be a focus on incentives for young adults to relocate and stay in the region.
Another aspect of the report from The Big Table centered on embracing and developing entrepreneurship.
Nate Domenighini of Distillery Labs says some ways to help with that is making it easier to create a start-up by eliminating red tape. He says there should be enough funding to give people confidence to move forward with a new business venture.
“Finding that early funding, that seed funding, for our entrepreneurs is going to be incredibly helpful, in generating more activity, more support, and ultimately creating jobs for the region,” Domenighini said.
Domenighini believes there should be efforts to encourage entrepreneurship to elementary and high school students.
Greater Peoria Economic Development Corporation President Chris Setti says improving the region will always be an on-going process. But, one objective he would like to see over the next 10 years, with ideas generated through The Big Table, is an increase in population and wages for people in the region.
