East Peoria’s booming minimum to mid-range salary job opportunities

… should equate to the same in Peoria.

The other night, at about 5:45 p.m., we were driving East across the McCluggage Bridge, when my daughter made a comment about the heavy traffic in front of us. Her Dad explained to her that more than likely, the traffic she was seeing was the result of people from other cities, who come into Peoria to work, and leave the City at the end of the day.

The conversation got me to wondering about the recent growth in potential job opportunities in East Peoria for the people who live there and in the surrounding communities. If the City of East Peoria can create jobs for their own citizens, that means Peorians (especially our teenagers) may be able to find jobs here, in the City where they reside.

 

Target store with an anticipated 140 jobs; Costco bringing 160 jobs that officials say pay higher than the typical retail job. That's 300 jobs between the two retailers, with another 200 jobs created through development of the area, plus additional jobs at Ulta beauty and Gordman's (both already have locations in Peoria) coming in 2013.

Plus, a Holiday Inn & Suites with 137 Rooms, expected completion summer 2013; and Morton Community Bank's Fondulac Banking Center with 40 to 45 employees, with about one-third being new hires, anticipated construction this spring and completion by summer 2013. On top of the existing Bass Pro Shops, the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Kohl's, Lowe's, a few hotels, including the Embassy Suites and more than a dozen dine-in restaurants.

Viva la East Peoria!

March Madness and the Peoria Riverfront

Over the lunch hour I was watching that little cutie Marcus Bailey over on WMBD 31, tell the weather. Marcus reports that “we are still watching the Illinois River rise as we head into the weekend. The river will crest at 28 feet Saturday, which would make it the 4th highest crest on record, and the highest we have seen since 1985!” I imagine the local powers that be hated to hear that weather report.

The Riverfront is flooded out and will continue to be flooded through next week. Therefore, restaurants are a major hassle to get to. If you were in Peoria to participate in the “madness” that is March Madness, would you park blocks away from the restaurant you want to go to, and then walk across a rickety, lil bridge just to get some eats? No, you are going to pile your family in your SUV and high tale it across the very accessible bridge to the restaurant mecca that is East Peoria.

The Community Word reports that Kelleher’s is still open. This is good for Kelleher’s, as St. Patty’s day is quickly approaching. However, most people are going to be looking for a more family friendly type of fare.

Sure some folks will head up Main Street to Avanti’s, some may even shoot out to the restaurants by Northwoods Mall. But more than likely, most of them will be spending the bulk of their March Madness dollars in East Peoria. To bad for Peoria.

People are always talking about the things the City has done wrong - look at how spot on they were when they named Water Street.