Excelerate Newsletter

Excelerate e-Newsletter Week 1-17-11

Jim McConoughey President/CEO The Heartland Partnership The Heartland Partnership Family of Companies Peoria Metro Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Peoria NEXT Heart of Illinois Regional Port District (TransPORT) Heartland Capital Network Heartland Foundation/CEO Roundtable The Initiatives: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS CLIMATE & PRODUCTIVITY REGIONAL IMAGE ENHANCEMENT COMMUNITY VIBRANCY The following companies have made an investment to the Excelerate Campaign: AdamsOutdoor AECOM AMP Illinois Apples Bakery Barrington Broadcasting Better Banks Bradley University Brewers Busey Bank Caterpillar CEFCU Central IL Bank Central IL Business Publishers CityLink Commerce Bank Community Foundation of Central IL Converse Marketing Core Construction Cullinan Properties Devonshire Group Eureka College Farmers Insurance Farnsworth Group Federal Companies G & D Integrated Greater Peoria Mass Transit Heartland Bank & Trust Heart Technologies Heritage Bank Illinois American Water Illinois Central College IllinoisMutual Jim Maloof Realtor JMP Radio Group Kriegsman Warehouses LincolnOffice LZT Associates, Inc. Methodist Medical Center Nexstar Broadcasting WMBD/WYZZ Otto Baum Pekin Insurance Peoria Area Association of Realtors Peoria Disposal Company Peoria Journal Star PNC PSA Dewberry Regent Communications RLI River City Construction Riverfront Village Developers RSM McGladrey INC. South Side Bank Traders Realty Wisdom Development Group Video Update The Heartland Partnership Video Update is a 3 minute video summary overviewing this Excelerate Newsletter.  This week's video includes snippets of interviews regarding the Illinois state income tax increase, the hiring outlook for 2011 and a look at what the chairman of TransPORT has to say about the organization's accomplishments and future, Click icon to watch the video update and view the rest of the newsletter for full details.  New Illinois Tax Credits According to the Associated Press, Governor Pat Quinn has signed legislation providing a $2,500 tax credit to employers hiring trainees from the Put Illinois to Work temporary jobs program.  The measure signed Monday takes effect immediately. We recommend the state develop multiple programs like this, including involvement from the business community on what programs will help to offset the income tax. Click here for more. Income Tax Increase & What You Can Do About It Illinois is making national headlines, and not in a good way.  The 66% state income tax increase is making waves around the country.  We talked with Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce President Roberta Parks about what this means for businesses and individuals in Illinois and what residents need to do to make a difference.  Click icon to watch the interview. Income Tax Increase Affects State Ranking The "Tax Foundation" says the state income tax increase has caused Illinois to drastically drop on the "State Climate Index" report.  EDC President Vickie Clark explains that Illinois now has one of the five highest state corporate income taxes in the nation and this tax increase has caused Illinois to fall 13 spots on the State Business Tax Climate Index.  Click here to read the Tax Foundation report. Click icon to watch the interview with Vickie Clark.  2011 Economic Forecast - Hiring A large majority of people say when hiring returns to the region it will be a sure sign that the recession is over.  We sat down with Heartland Partnership President/CEO Jim McConoughey to get his forecast on hiring for 2011 in the Peoria Area and to find out what’s in store for the region’s top growth industries. Click icon to watch the interview. Click here for text from Jim McConoughey’s 2011 Forecast on hiring in the Peoria Area. 10 Ways Your Job Will Change Who knows what jobs will be born a decade from now? Though unemployment is at a 25-year high, work will return eventually.  But it is not going to look the same.  Click here to learn the 10 ways your job will change according to Time Magazine. Chairmen Interviews Dan Silverthorn has been chairman of TrasnPORT since its inception in 2006.  Dan says predictions are that highway cargo traffic will increase 20% in the next 10-15 years and our roads won’t be able to absorb that increase so we should look to the waterways.  The bottom line for TransPORT is to create jobs and business opportunities for a river related transportation market and improve the port businesses that are already here. Click here to watch video with Dan Silverthorn Mood-O-Meter Results Out of nearly 100 participants, 41% believe the recession is over.  When asked if there would be a double dip to this recession 63% said no. To find out what Mood-O-Meter participants said they needed to see to believe the recession is over click here. Another recent Mood-O-Meter revealed the majority of respondents say they will pronounce 2011 as "Two Thousand Eleven"  and the most popular new year's resolution is to get health followed by improving financial health. To see what people said click here. Check our website for new Mood-O-Meter topics regularly.  State of the City 2011 Time is running out to make reservations for the 2011 State of the City Address, sponsored by PSA Dewberry.  The event is Tuesday, January 25th at the Peoria Civic Center at 11:45 AM.  Join us to find out what is on the horizon for the city of Peoria.  Reservations deadline is January 14.  Click here for reservations Project Pack the Place Expands in 2011 We had great success in 2010 so we are expanding Project Pack the Place this year.  There will be events for groups & individuals this year plus we're adding more venues & even restaurants to the list of places to pack in 2011. Stay tuned to find out how you can help boost our regional economy and have great fun while doing so.  Sponsorship opportunities are available for Project Pack the Place call Renee at 495-5905 or emailrcharles@h-p.org for details. Marketing U Marketing is a key element to the success of any business.  Whether you’re a marketing guru or just a beginner, knowing how to utilize a variety of marketing tools will benefit your business.  Starting in January, the Peoria Area Chamber is offering a series of educational classes to help local businesses navigate the world of marketing.   Click here for details