Comments on The P-Town Snarker: What's Wrong With Peoria?

Mahkno:You make a great point. And I think a lot o...

2006-05-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

Mahkno:

You make a great point. And I think a lot of great work is already being done to address the very issue you raise.

First, though, I'll mention that I don't see this problem ever going away. Labor is expensive here. It's just economics. A receptionist answering phones in San Jose makes $40 - $50K a year. She has to in order to survive in a community where the smallest homes are more than a million bucks. Imagine the price of renting? So the cost of doing business in that ridiculously expensive environment prohibits all but the most cash-rich and white color businesses from working there. Not a lot of light manufacturing to be found, as you can imagine.

Same thing here...if you're willing to compare Peoria to, say, Guadalajara Mexico. I, as a hypothetical manufacturer, would have to pay a Central Illinois worker fifteen or twenty times what I would pay a mexican worker for the same amount of work. Plus, they have no unions, no FICA, no healthcare demands, etc. All of that, and they're thrilled to have the work. So If I'm competing against companies who are already located overseas, moving my operations to a cheaper labor (and to CJs point, cheaper taxation) market is the only way I can put a product on the shelves and still make a dime in the process.

So long-term, I see that kind of manufacturing going out the door in America. EXCEPT for industry that directly supports major US industries -- like logistical support (warehouses, shipping, minor assembly) and certain kinds of fabrication.

That's why the efforts of the city of Peoria and the EDC in creating the Port District are such a cool thing. Check out this site for more info on that.

On another note, I think one of the hopes for Ren Park is that it will generate those support industries to back up every technology or bio product that is created and launched through the efforts of the Peoria NEXT incubator. Granted, we have to work really hard to hold on to those products in our area...but that's the idea, anyway.

Sorry for the rambling. Not enough coffee yet...

That's why we need more manufacturing and light in...

2006-05-26T22:15:00.000-05:00

That's why we need more manufacturing and light industry jobs.

All the surrounding area's taxes are going up.... ...

2006-05-26T00:47:00.000-05:00

All the surrounding area's taxes are going up.... As they mature, get more crowded, they will develope the same problems Peoria has.

Taxation isnt the third issue.

3) Economic Development / Jobs

WTF are all these poor underclass folks supposed to do for a living? If Ren Park takes off, it will add diversity to the top of the economic ladder, which is good, but Ren Park provides little for the underclass. There needs to be a credible and attractive alternative future for the youth of Peoria who are not destined for college.

Not "how". Read "high".

2006-05-25T10:19:00.001-05:00

Not "how". Read "high".

Sure the taxes are how, but look at all we get for...

2006-05-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

Sure the taxes are how, but look at all we get for our money?

(insert sarcastic grin here)

Yep, those are two of the three biggest issues. T...

2006-05-25T10:17:00.000-05:00

Yep, those are two of the three biggest issues. The other one is high taxes (property and sales). That's the biggest complaint I hear from people who have moved to this area to work for Cat -- in other words, people who can afford to live anywhere in the tri-county area. When they compare north Peoria to Germantown Hills or Morton, it's no contest when it comes to taxes.

Good post. My wife and I live in Peoria and love ...

2006-05-25T09:47:00.000-05:00

Good post. My wife and I live in Peoria and love our house and location. But I don't think many young people see the benefits of living here when you can build brand new homes in Morton or Dunlap. I don't see much hope for the revitalization because of the very points you make. White and Brown flight. When I was living in Nashville there was a resurgence of people renovating areas equivalent to our south side. People started to see that living closer to where they work had real and immediate benefits. Almost over night the value of those old homes skyrocketed. I wish the same would happen to this great city.