The city of Peoria embraces the community and innovation By Kristina Perez Marketing and Communications Manager City of Peoria
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nce known for its attractive bedroom community characteristics and family values, Peoria is now known for so much more. In the last decade, Peoria has transformed into a city full of innovation, new technology, high-quality amenities, sustainable practices and family-friendly fun. To vacationers, business owners and smart homebuyers, Peoria has long been one of the most desirable places to live, work and play. Peoria is an active, sustainable, future-ready community that provides a high quality of life that attracts thousands of new residents and visitors every year. Originally just 1 square mile large, Peoria now spans across Maricopa and Yavapai counties. At approximately 180 square miles in area, Peoria is currently the fifthlargest city in land area in the Phoenix metropolitan area, with more than half of the city still left to develop. The high standard of living residents have become accustomed to includes award-winning neighborhood and recreation services and innovative programs like the Robo Ride autonomous shuttle. Peoria has the state’s second-largest lake, Lake Pleasant, and the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres Spring Training facility. Peoria has 35 parks and 25 miles of trails for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Besides the unmatched amenities and beautiful Sonoran Desert features, residents also enjoy one of the state’s highestperforming school districts and a lifestyle worth mentioning, and honoring, in high-profile, national publications like Money Magazine, Forbes, USA Today and Wallethub. In fact, Money Magazine recently named Peoria the Best City to Live in Arizona and among the top cities to live in the United States.
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WEST VALLEY NEWCOMERS’ GUIDE
Paloma Community Park, located in northern Peoria, is the newest and largest park to join the city’s expansive system of parks and trails. (Photo courtesy city of Peoria)
In the heart of the city rests the historic district, Old Town Peoria, and a vibrant activity and business hub, the P83 Entertainment District. Old Town Peoria was the city’s original main street, with many familyowned businesses lining the streets between 83rd, Peoria and Grand avenues. Today, it is undergoing a revitalization, attracting new businesses and drawing residents and visitors to the area for shopping, new events, art, musical performances and live theater. P83, which includes the Spring Training facility, already has a thriving dining and entertainment scene, but now it has become the place for new development and investment. Peoria is not just the place to live and play. It is also the place for highwage jobs, economic development, entrepreneurship, small businesses and advanced industries. And, Peoria has an educated, diverse workforce. This workforce is committed, creative and always finds solutions to help residents. One example of such dedication and talent was during the COVID-19 pandemic. The residents, local business community and the city of Peoria came together to help those struggling by making phone calls, visiting, offering help, adapting essential programs and services to virtual platforms, and providing services and financial assistance to struggling businesses.
And sometimes all that was needed were words of encouragement. Peoria residents stepped up by writing kind messages, making cards for seniors and front-line workers, and spreading the word about shopping and dining at local establishments to support the community. With programs like smallbusiness grants and loans to help business owners in need during the pandemic and initiatives like the city’s partnership with Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute for Peoria Forward and the Maricopa Small Business Development Center, there is no question that Peoria is the place for work as well. With these partnerships and programs in place and with the support and active membership of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, the business community has been able to flourish, even during such challenging times. Peoria is a world-class community that does not take a cookie-cutter approach to anything. With strong leadership at the helm, a solid fiscal position, an emphasis on smart growth, and balance between the built and natural environments, Peoria will continue to thrive. For more information about the city or the chamber of commerce, visit peoriaaz. gov and peoriachamber.com.