Greater Peoria Economic Scorecard 2012 : Page 3ROCKFORD, IL POPULATION: 349,431 Former manufacturing powerhouse with a new focus on technology and tourism. Similar size and demographics to Peoria. MADISON, WI POPULATION: 568,593 QUAD CITIES, IA-IL POPULATION: State capital and home to a major university, with high educational attainment and a strong healthcare industry. A research park houses 125+ startup companies with a focus on biotech R&D. 379,690 John Deere anchors the manufacturing base, while healthcare has seen increased growth. Significant investment in downtown riverfront revitalization. GRAND RAPIDS, MI POPULATION: 774,160 DES MOINES, IA POPULATION: A developing medical corridor with a focus on cancer research. Home to Steelcase, Meijer, Bissel and other product development companies. 575,633 Distinguished by booming insurance and financial industries, a highly educated labor force, low cost of living, low cost of doing business, and low unemployment rate. FORT WAYNE, IN OMAHA, NE POPULATION: 865,350 379,186 SPRINGFIELD, MO POPULATION: POPULATION: Ì 436,712 POPULATION: 416,257 PEORIA, IL Former manufacturing base with efforts to diversify its economy. Low cost of doing business and a large investment in downtown revitalization. DAYTON, OH POPULATION: 841,502 The first annual Greater Peoria Economic Scorecard measures the economic progress of the five-county Greater Peoria MSA against seven peer cities—MSAs with a similar size, location and other characteristics—and four aspirational cities— identified as high-performing and relatively larger than the peer cities. Home to five Fortune 500 companies and nationally recognized for a successful entrepreneurial environment. Low cost of living and stable housing market. High research capabilities with the Air Force Research Laboratory, University of Dayton and Wright State University. Attempting to diversify a manufacturing-based economy. LEXINGTON, KY POPULATION: Strong tourism industry, with proximity to Branson and Lake of the Ozarks. Home to Bass Pro Shops and Missouri State University. 472,099 Home to the Fortune 500 company, Lexmark International. Features a highly educated population, strong financial service and insurance sectors, and a large public university. CHATTANOOGA, TN PEER CITIES ASPIRATIONAL CITIES POPULATION: 528,143 Anchored by the Fortune 500 company, Unum Group. Features a strong tourism industry and one of the most highly recognized aquariums in the nation. 4 8 11 14 18 ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE PEOPLE INNOVATION BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIVABILITY 3 Publication List |
