Peoria and Peoria County are receiving $600,000 in federal funding to help develop the proposed Galena Road Industrial Park on the city’s northeast side. The investment will support land acquisition and infrastructure for a planned $40 million project intended to attract businesses, create jobs and expand the local tax base.
Key takeaways
The federal appropriation is expected to help make the site more competitive for industrial development.
- U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood announced the $600,000 award at Peoria City Hall.
- The project also received a $150,000 state planning grant earlier this year.
- Preliminary plans call for seven buildings totaling up to 565,000 square feet.
- The site was rezoned for industrial use and is located within a city tax increment financing district.
Funding targets land and infrastructure
LaHood said the federal money will help secure property and install the infrastructure needed to make the site “shovel ready.” That preparation is intended to give prospective companies a development-ready location for expansion or relocation.
The congressman initially requested $1 million for the project through congressional directed spending requests in 2024. He said the final $600,000 appropriation can still play an important role in attracting employers that offer higher wages and reinvest in the community.
Project location and design
The proposed industrial park would be built on the west side of Galena Road, or Illinois Route 29, roughly a half-mile north of Gardner Lane. Earlier this year, the Peoria City Council changed the property’s zoning from residential to industrial.
Design concepts prepared by the Farnsworth Group envision a development featuring:
- Seven buildings with a combined 520,000 to 565,000 square feet.
- Flex space for shipping and loading operations.
- Covered parking areas equipped with solar panels.
- A roundabout with space for outdoor dining, food trucks and farmers markets.
- Retained agricultural buildings that would acknowledge the property’s former use.
The renderings are preliminary and illustrate what the site could become rather than a finalized construction plan.
City and county officials promote economic potential
Mayor Rita Ali said the investment could help return underused land to productive use. She emphasized that businesses need infrastructure and development-ready sites before they can consider moving into a community or expanding there.
Peoria County Board Chair Jimmy Dillon described the preliminary vision as an opportunity to imagine new uses for the area. The city, county and Greater Peoria Economic Development Council are collaborating on the project.
Next steps for the industrial park
The federal award follows a $150,000 planning grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Regional Site Readiness program. Together, the grants provide early funding for planning, property acquisition and infrastructure preparation.
The project’s next phase will involve refining the site plan, advancing land and infrastructure work, and positioning the industrial park to compete for future business prospects. Officials say the long-term goal is to create a ready-to-develop site capable of supporting new investment and employment in Peoria.
