Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis presented an optimistic outlook for the River City in his 2020 State of the City Address.
Ardis hailed the spirit of innovation taking root in the area.
"We all know that there's been some difficult times lately, with the loss of some executive positions at Caterpillar, and the overall dismal business climate in our state," he said. "But I sense a strong sense of urgency in our community to be a shining light to attract new business and vibrancy here."
Ardis praised Peoria's burgeoning healthcare sector, which now employs 16 percent of the region's workforce. He also mentioned the Peoria Innovation Hub, which he called Peoria's version of the 1871 business incubator in Chicago, and the work of Jake Hamann's Peoria Innovation Alliance.
Developer Kim Blickenstaff received this year's Mayor's Outstanding Community Service Award for the numerous projects he's launching.
Blickenstaff, a medical technology executive with Central Illinois roots, has taken on projects ranging from the restoration of Al Fresco Park and the Peoria Armory to bringing a soccer team to Peoria in just over a year's time.
"He's instilling that we can compete with anybody, and ask why not here? And also help us remember what it's like to be optimistic again," Ardis said.
Ardis singled out three Central Illinois companies for shoutouts: medical virtual reality company Enduvo, nanotech company NTS Innovations, and Natural Fiber Welding, which is developing plant-based synthetic leather called Mirum.
NTS Innovations is working with the University of Arkansas's Dr. Paul Thibado on graphene energy harvesting on a new electronic recharging mechanism it hopes to use for wireless sensors and GPS trackers. It currently converts ambient energy into electricity to power microchips, but the technology can scale to juice up bigger things.
The company's CEO, Don Meyer, said they're here to stay.
"This is world-changing technology that has that ability to affect the entire world," Meyer said. "And we're just honored to be in a position to where we're stewarding this technology in Peoria."
The technology was patented in 2018. A commercialization team in Peoria is working to move it to the market.
"We've got a lot to be proud of and thankful for in Peoria," Ardis said. "Take control of the narrative in whatever sector you're involved in our community. We're moving forward. We can and will be better. Don't hide your pride."
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