Pekin is a large and growing industrial sector that includes metropolitan Peoria, and about six other communities. Caterpillar is the area's largest employer, with approximately 8,000 employees working in facilities in Peoria, East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton and Mossville.

More than 500 businesses and industrial firms call Pekin home. The products originating in the Pekin area are wide-ranging; they include various concrete products, industrial gases, agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, animal food, seasonings, bronze brushes, hunting accessories, paperboard, aluminum castings, field seed and hybrid corn. Tazewell County has more than 1,200 farms raising corn, wheat, soybeans, and livestock. Total farm receipts are more than $110 million annually.

Pekin is home to seven banks, four credit unions and a savings and loan association. These institutions encourage community growth and development and provide a strong financial foundation. A large enterprise zone covers the southern part of the city and continues north along the Illinois River.

Pekin is part of the Economic Development Council for the Peoria area, and through its cooperative efforts was able to secure Hanna Steel Corporation, a national leader in the steel coil coating industry. Riverway Business Park, on the city's south side, is one of the newest business sites in the community. It is a state certified Illinois Enterprise zone offering all types of utilities at reasonable rates and other incentives. A 20,000 square foot spec building is under construction.

Together with the city, the Chamber aggressively seeks out new business and industry for Pekin and encourages the expansion of existing firms.

"A lot of excellent business opportunities are available in Pekin due to the exceptional leadership positioning the city to grow and progress. City officials are open and receptive to new ideas and innovations... extremely positive to work with."

- Michael J. Wisdom of Wisdom Development Group, Inc.

"The combination of market access, competitive utility costs, intermodal transportation opportunities, and an available labor pool all proved instrumental in selling us on a Riverway Business Park location in Pekin."

-Warren Bailey, President/COO Hanna Steel Corporation

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