PEORIA, Ill. – Parts of downtown Peoria will be designated as the Peoria Innovation District.
Jake Hamann, the Executive Director of the Peoria Innovation Alliance said the area being designated is a nine block region.
“To start, it’s Main Street to Harrison, and Water Street to Jefferson Avenue,” Hamann said.
Hamann said it will not only benefit the downtown region.
“Even though we are designating an area in this urban core, this nine block area, I think that it helps the entire region, just by putting a stake in the ground and saying we are serious about this,” Hamann said.
The Innovation District will see new projects, as well as take stock of what is already resignation there.
Hamann said they are working with the Peoria Public Library.
“We are working with them on a media lab,” Hamman said. “Which will include virtual reality equipment, green screen technology, videography, photography, also a small recording type of studio. We are looking at supporting the existing businesses that are here.”
Hamann said they will also keep track of real estates available in the area to try and attract new companies.
“Our intent is really to build up this area,” Hamann said.
Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said it is exciting to finally identify the location as the Innovation District.
“Peoria has always excelled at this, and they’ve always continued to look forward to that next chapter.
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