You may know us as the River City. Or the Whiskey City. Perhaps even the City of Gratitude. Clearly, we love a good nickname, so here’s another one: The Land of More.
If you open a dictionary and look up “more,” you better have 20/20 vision or a magnifying glass. Otherwise, the microscopic text will strain your eyes. Don’t worry, we looked up the definition online:
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 /𝑚ô𝑟/: A greater amount of something.
Generally speaking, more is better (unless it’s poison ivy or something like that). In Greater Peoria, we’re all about more. More time to do what you want. More space to do it. More opportunities to grow. More places to explore. More people who care.
That’s why you’ll see “more” in the coming weeks and months around our region. When we say Choose Greater Peoria is a collaborative effort, we mean it. Here’s some imagery to show you what we’re talking about.
Now that you’ve seen some visuals, scroll down to read about how you can experience more in Greater Peoria.
More Time: It’s a Gift
Who doesn’t want more time? More time to live, to laugh, to enjoy your life. This is what Greater Peoria offers. It’s not just about ticking off the hours; it’s about making every moment count. And it starts with short commutes.
Ever get tired of sitting in traffic, feeling like you could read “War and Peace” before reaching your destination? Around here, the average commute is shorter than a cat nap. With most drives taking less than 20 minutes, you’ll have more hours in your day for stuff that really matters. Here are a few things you can do with that extra time:
– More family dinners
– More friend hangs
– More sleep
– More chances to learn hobbies or tackle those DIY projects
Have you ever felt the rush of a big city pushing you to move faster and think quicker? Greater Peoria flips that notion on its head with our laid-back, easy-going vibe. Here, life is like a scenic drive on a Sunday afternoon — unhurried and enjoyable. The relaxed pace equates to less stress, a more enjoyable quality of life and more meaningful connections.
More Space: Room to Breathe, Grow and Play
There’s nothing wrong with living on the 4th floor (no elevator) of an apartment with no yard in a big city. It’s fine if you only have 675 square feet to work with. But if you’re tired of the cramped and chaotic life of larger cities, come to the City of Gratitude, where there’s ample space to do whatever you want — both indoors and outdoors.
One of the biggest appeals is our affordable housing. Unlike bigger cities where a home listing price will make your jaw hit the floor, you get a lot more bang for your buck in P-Town. Homes are just as beautiful, but a fraction of the cost. Yards are bigger and utilities are cheaper. Why pay through the nose for a shoebox in a skyscraper when you can have a roomy house with a garden, a garage and maybe even a pool?
Don’t get us started on all the green space we have. Our region is like one big backyard, bursting at the seams with parks, trails and natural beauty. No matter where you live, there’s always a lush green space just around the corner. Did we mention we have the largest park district in Illinois?
More Opportunity: A Thriving Community
Opportunity brims at every turn in the Whiskey City. From dynamic career paths to a nurturing environment for budding entrepreneurs, our region offers the perfect landscape for personal and professional growth. It all starts with our world-class employers spread across many industries. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, tech or manufacturing, Greater Peoria presents a smorgasbord of opportunities.
Healthcare: Home to some of the top medical centers in the country, including the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute and Carle Health Greater Peoria, we offer numerous roles for healthcare professionals. From doctors and nurses to researchers and administrative staff, the healthcare industry here is booming (6th midsized healthcare hub in the country).
Tech and Innovation: If you’re an inventor or innovator, you’ll love Greater Peoria. Our region is a hotbed for startups and companies bringing new concepts and technology to life. Like NFW for example, named one of the world’s most innovative companies. Or Virtusense, the #6 most innovative medical device company. We can’t forget AutonomouStuff, providing the world’s best autonomy-enabling technologies.
Manufacturing: It’s an industry deeply rooted in our identity. Greater Peoria’s known for making things the rest of the world needs and uses. With renowned companies like Caterpillar and Maui Jim, you can take your manufacturing career to greater heights.
Education: With prestigious institutions like Bradley University, University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, Eureka College and Illinois Central College, education professionals have tons of opportunities to find fulfilling careers and shape the next generation’s minds.
What’s Up with the Asterisk?
Oh, right! The asterisk. We’re glad you asked. Aside from it being a hard word to pronounce, this small, star-shaped punctuation mark symbolizes there’s “more” to a story. A footnote, if you will. Being between Chicago and St. Louis, one could argue Peoria is a small star nestled amongst bigger stars. But sometimes those little stars are a lot bigger than people think, they’re just farther away. Once you get closer, your perspective changes. The star becomes bigger and shines brighter. At least that’s what research says, none of us have actually been to outer space.
The point is, Greater Peoria shines brightly on so many levels. And we’re poised to shine even brighter as more people join the Choose Greater Peoria movement. We’re not a small star, and those of us who live here know it. Now, it’s time for the world to know it, too.
These coasters understand the assignment. You’ll see ‘em around town at restaurants, bars and coffee shops. If you’re a local business and want to get involved, reach out to us at info@choosegreaterpeoria.org. After all, we’re in this together!