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Regional tourism and economic development updates point to larger events and recruitment work
Summary
Discover Peoria and the Greater Peoria EDC reported regional tourism and economic-development activity: Discover Peoria flagged major events (FFA meeting, Future Play e-gaming) and a planned promotional video; the Greater Peoria EDC described recruitment of larger industrial and headquarters projects that could bring jobs to the area.
Steve Brown, the city's Discover Peoria representative, told council the regional tourism organization is working to attract several large events that will bring significant visitation and hotel demand to the region, including an FFA annual meeting and a multi‑day Future Play e‑gaming event expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors. Brown said Discover Peoria is preparing regionwide promotional efforts and is coordinating with Washington staff on a city video for the Discover Peoria website.
Brandon Moss, the city’s Greater Peoria EDC representative, said the EDC’s primary focus is recruiting national and international industrial and corporate headquarters‑scale projects rather than retail recruits, and he briefly described current leads (including a Canadian electric‑bus manufacturer exploring facilities in the area). Moss said the commission’s work aims to create head‑of‑household jobs likely to employ Washington residents and that the city’s financial contribution to the EDC aligns with that mission.
Quotes preserved on the record include Brown describing Discover Peoria’s role and Moss describing the EDC’s recruitment focus. Council thanked both representatives and heard that Washington will continue coordinating with regional partners on promotional opportunities and lead development.
