HP In The News 1-18-10

Business File: McConoughey counting on surprises from census
In chatting with Jim McConoughey a few days ago about whether there were a lot of people leaving central Illinois because of the recession, we got to talking about the upcoming census.

Migration trends show Peoria area fares better than much of Illinois
"It comes down to diversity and the fact Peoria is becoming more of a community people want to come to," said Jim McConoughey, president of the Heartland Partnership.

Experts weigh in on life after downsizing...
According to Jim McConoughey, president & CEO of the Heartland Partnership, this recent downsizing represents a different mindset not just in Peoria, but across the country,. Today, downsizing is different from past layoffs. ...

Redefining small business
Ask a small business owner in Peoria what they have found to be the best business resource and they are likely to say the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

Foreign-trade zone forum Jan. 27
Vickie Clark and Sally Hanley of the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois will speak at the event. The forum is advertised as an opportunity to learn how joining a foreign-trade zone can lower costs for businesses...

EDC Leaders meet with State Senate
Representatives from the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois (EDC) were invited by State Senate President John J. Cullerton to discuss economic development needs and how to make Illinois more attractive to businesses.

Will new charter school be costly?
Without doing so could mean the charter school, being dubbed Peoria MST, ... To date, Peoria Charter School Initiative officials say they've raised $321,675...
What's Next Step for Peoria Charter School?
It's the choice the teacher's union challenged and the one the business community and some parents championed. A math, science, and technology academy in Peoria...

Publisher's Note | peoriamagazines.com
"We have talked endlessly about how this region diversified to survive after the recession of the 1980s," says Heartland Partnership CEO Jim McConoughey. "Now it is time for people to diversify themselves in order to meet the changes that are ahead...

More testing dates for census jobs announced
The U.S. Census Bureau has added more testing dates for census jobs in the Peoria area, including census takers, crew leaders, recruiting assistants and clerks.