Spotlight: Peoria Innovation Hub is a world-class facility
Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare and chairman of Peoria Innovation Hub Board of Directors
On Nov. 4, OSF HealthCare joined Illinois Central College, the University of Illinois and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council in welcoming Governor JB Pritzker to celebrate the launch of the Peoria Innovation Hub, a world-class facility coming to downtown Peoria as part of the larger Illinois Innovation Network.
The Peoria Innovation Hub will be will be located in ICC’s Thomas building, in the heart of the recently formed Peoria Innovation District. Work will begin in earnest in 2020 to bring it to life.
The Hub will be the epicenter of Greater Peoria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The facility will be developed and programmed by the community to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, innovators, creators, and residents. It will be dedicated to finding solutions to improve the health and wellness of underserved populations, advance innovation related to food, farming, and transportation, while crafting a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
Reuben Cummings, founder of the Greater Peoria Data & Analytics Meetup, shared his excitement for the possibilities for entrepreneurs, like him, that will lie within the Peoria Innovation Hub walls.
In his remarks, the governor said, “Peoria isn’t resting on its past laurels,” but instead is taking that legacy and lessons learned and building on them to propel us forward in today’s economy. He added, “Peoria is doing it right when it comes to innovation and has a shot at being the central city for the Midwest to show that if you do it right, if you come together, you can become a leader in technology and innovation.”
We couldn’t agree more. The Peoria Innovation Hub will be a beacon for the economic future of the Peoria area. Working together as a community, we will provide more opportunities to assist entrepreneurs, like Reuben, and retain talent in central Illinois.
The Innovation Hub will be a strong example of what can be accomplished when all sides come together and have open, honest, robust collaborations to propel us into the next decade. Together a wealth of institutional and historical knowledge can build an exciting future that will transform the lives of those around us for the better.
OSF HealthCare thanks the governor for joining Peoria to embrace this vision and opportunity. We look forward to welcoming him back when the doors open to the Peoria Innovation Hub, which will serve as a testament to the power of collaboration.
Bob Sehring, CEO of OSF HealthCare and chairman of Peoria Innovation Hub Board of Directors.