PEORIA The state of the city is innovative. And innovators on a broader geographic scale appear to be headed here soon.<\/p>\n
That was part of the message Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis conveyed Tuesday in his annual State of the City address.<\/p>\n
The focus of his speech, given in front of a lunch-hour crowd at the Peoria Civic Center, was on local entrepreneurs, researchers and others of similar aspirations.<\/p>\n
Among the entities Ardis mentioned were the creators of Enduvo, a medical virtual-reality training tool; Natural Fiber Welding Inc., which uses plant-based alternatives to leather and plastics; and NTS Innovations, which is focusing on nanotechnology to boost energy output without creating pollution.<\/p>\n
\"This isn't pie in the sky,\" Ardis said following his speech. \"(They) have a lot of potential to change things, not just in Peoria but, in the space that they're in, so many things around the globe.\"<\/p>\n
At least some of that globe is expected to visit Peoria this spring as part of an international entrepreneurial and innovation competition.<\/p>\n
Peoria is to be the only U.S. site for the Future Agro Challenge, to be held April 13-15 at the Civic Center. The aim is to seek sustainable solutions to global food insecurity, biodiversity and climate change.<\/p>\n
As many as 300 competitors from nine Midwestern states are expected, according to Jake Hamann, executive director of the recently formed Peoria Innovation Alliance.<\/p>\n
Future Agro Challenge organizers last attempted a U.S. competition a few years ago in Las Cruces, N.M.<\/p>\n
According to Hamann, Peoria was attractive because it's centrally located and because it's home of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, commonly known as the federal Ag Lab.<\/p>\n
\"It shines a spotlight on what we've got going on here, it brings exposure to us as a community and it shows we've got the resources to support if any of these companies make a connection with the Ag Lab,\" Hamann said.<\/p>\n
Judges in Peoria are to select a winner from among as many as 40 entries. Among possible local competitors include a composting service and a developer of a digital ledger that traces foodstuffs from farm to table, Hamann said.<\/p>\n
The winner is to receive a cash award and an all-expenses-paid trip to the international competition, to be held in October in Thessaloniki, Greece.<\/p>\n
Some of what local innovators are producing has roots elsewhere. NTS' energy-harvesting technology was developed at the University of Arkansas, for example.<\/p>\n
But NTS founder and CEO Don Meyer doesn't appear interested in moving his operation to Fayetteville. Or anywhere else.<\/p>\n
\"We have offers from around the country to put our global headquarters somewhere, but you know, I told Jim yesterday, 'I want to keep it at home,'\" Meyer said. \"So if we can do that and build a community ... that's the key.\"<\/p>\n
Nick Vlahos can be reached at 686-3285 or nvlahos@pjstar.com<\/a>. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Follow this link: PEORIA The state of the city is innovative. And innovators on a broader geographic scale appear to be headed here soon Continue reading
\nIn State of the City address, Mayor Ardis praises Peoria innovation - Peoria Journal Star<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"