|
|
News
CityLink announced that bus ridership is up 25 to 30% over last year. The transit group provides approximately 12,00 rides per day in the Peoria area.
The majority of Peoria-area employers expect to maintain current staffing levels during the second quarter of this year, according to the latest Employment Outlook Survey by Manpower Inc. 19 percent of companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while just 14 percent plan to reduce payrolls. 63 percent expect to maintain current staff levels and four percent are uncertain.
The 2009 IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament will officially kick off this Thursday, March 12th, with a 9am press conference in the Peoria Civic Center Great Hall. This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the tournament in Illinois and the 14th year at the Peoria Civic Center. Immediately after the press conference, local media teams will compete in in a variety of basketball skill events in the MegaMedia Challenge in the Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall will host the March Madness Experience, a family-oriented extravaganza of fun, interactive games and historical exhibits. It's free to fans with game tickets, and just $2 for everyone else.
Nominations are being accepted for the Common Place Love in Action Award that recognizes a person or persons working to eliminate the root causes of poverty and social injustice. Nominees will be considered from the areas of justice, community organizing, neighborhood development/stabilization, education, and literacy. Nomination forms are available by calling 674-3315 or visiting commonplacepeoria.org. Nominations must be received by 5pm on April 1st. The recipient will be recognized at an award dinner at the Hotel Pere Marquette on June 9th.
The Peoria Hispanics Group will host the first-ever Noche de Fiesta on Friday, March 13th from 8pm to 11pm in the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom. The event will recognize and celebrate the Latino culture focused on the art of salsa dance. Doors open at 7pm; free salsa lessons will be available from 7 to 8pm. Grammy-nominated artist Angel Meldez & 911 Mambo Orchestra will be featured. Tickets are $15/advance; $20 day of show/ $10 ages 12 and under. Call the Civic Center box office or visit peoriaciviccenter.com for more information.
The application deadline for artists to participate in the Peoria Art Guild’s Art Fair at Junction City is next Wednesday, March 18th. The Fair will be held on June 6th and 7th. Electronic applications are available at www.juriedartservices.com (no paper applications). Artists must reside within a 100-mile radius of Peoria.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
iBi Reader survey
We want your feedback! InterBusiness Issues is conducing a reader’s survey. Visit us online at peoriamagazines.com/survey, or fill out the form in the upcoming March issue of the magazine and fax to (309) 693-3546 or mail to 5005 N Glen Park Place, Peoria IL 61614. All answers will be kept strictly confidential. We appreciate your participation.
CIBP is now on Facebook!
Women Business Owners Holding Their Own Amid Economic Downturn
A new survey of National Association of Women Business Owners members has found that, while women entrepreneurs are facing the same economic difficulties as other businesses across the country, more than half say they have no plans to reduce employment and nearly 25 percent say they actually plan to add jobs this year.
Among findings from the new survey:
- 52% of NAWBO members surveyed said they plan no changes in employment levels, while 24% said they will add jobs this year. Hiring expectations are sharply higher than the broader market.
- Just 17% of NAWBO respondents said they plan to reduce staffing this year.
- 40% of NAWBO members surveyed said they will keep capital investment levels at about the same this year as last, while 17% said they planned an increase.
- More than half (53%) of NAWBO members surveyed said they plan to expand into new markets this year, while just 3% said they plan store or branch closures.
- 54% of NAWBO respondents said they believe economic and business conditions will be at least somewhat better by the end of this year - and 54% believe their own business will be somewhat or much better than it is today.
Aside from economic challenges, top issues NAWBO member respondents said they would like to see Congress and the new Administration address this year include healthcare/health insurance reform (45%); tax relief/business taxes (16%); education policies (15%); the war in Iraq (12%); and broader support for small business (11%).
Recent estimates by the Center for Women's Business Research indicate that the nation's more than 10 million women-owned businesses employed 13 million workers, generated $1.9 trillion in sales, and represented more than 40 percent of all privately held firms in 2008. As the pre-eminent national women-owned business organization, NAWBO works to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of women entrepreneurs, promote economic development, transform public policy, and propel women into economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide. Learn more at nawbo.org.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Events
Wednesday, March 11 @ WTVP
The Warehouse District Association and Moderator Pat Sullivan will host a City Council and Mayoral Candidate Forum at WTVP, 101 State Street at 7pm. Refreshments will be served beginning at 6:30pm.
Thursday, March 12 @ Alliance Library System, East Peoria
HOI-ASTD will host Dave Vance, former president of Caterpillar University, speaking on “The Financial Crisis and Learning: Lessons, Opportunities and Implications for Learning Professionals” at 600 High Point Lane in East Peoria. Reservations are required. $20/members; $30/non-members, includes lunch. Email amy@astdhoi.org or call 383-4280 for more information.
Thursday, March 12 @ the Waterhouse, Peoria
The Peoria Ad Club presents “Marketing the Museum: A Local Case Study” at a luncheon at 11:45am. Local advertising agency, Simantel, will present on its efforts related to marketing the Build the Block campaign. Prices are $20; RSVPs are required. Visit peoriaadclub.com for more information.
Saturday, March 14 @ Par-A-Dice Hotel Ballroom
PARC’s 16th annual In Bloom Style Show, sponsored by the Pilot Club of Peoria, will be held. Doors open at 11am; luncheon begins at 11:30. The event will benefit PARC and include a style show, silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 689-3608 or visit www.PARCway.org.
Saturday, March 14 @ Venue Art Gallery and Wine Social, Washington
One of the only art and music festivals for women in the area, the Magdalene Art Market will take place from noon to 7pm at Venue, 112 N. Main St., in Washington. Over a dozen art booths to shop and an acoustic music cafe serving Intelligentsia coffee, wine and beer. $4 admission.
Wednesday, March 18 @ Mt. Hawley Country Club
The Central Illinois Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners will hold its monthly meeting. The topic will be public policy of interest to women business owners. Networking time begins at 5:30pm, followed by dinner, announcements and the program at 7pm. Members $25/guests free. RSVP by Monday, March 16th, to secretary@nawbo-cil.org.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Email this page
