Pekin city officials recently announced a new business is coming to the region.  WheelWorx will locate in the Riverway Business Park and will employ over 30 people at start up. 

 WheelWorx is full-service freight car wheels shop that manufacturers rail car wheels with state of the art technology.
 
Chief Operating Officer of the Economic Development Council for Central Illinois, Vickie Clark says the location of WheelWorx in Pekin is a huge success story.  “This company could have located anywhere but it chose the Peoria Metro because of what we have to offer.”  Regional economic development partners in Pekin have strategically positioned themselves to attract business just like this and the hard work is paying off.  With the addition of WheelWorx, the Riverway Business Park only has 10 acres remaining and employs over 550 people.  

Sally Hanley, EDC Development Director, says the EDC was initially contacted by WheelWorx in early September to provide demographic data along with wage and benefit information about the region.  The EDC was asked to initiate the search for a building in the region that would meet the company’s needs.  “WheelWorx was interested in several communities across the region.  When the company announced its decision to locate in the Riverway Business Park in Pekin, we were thrilled they found a site that fits their needs in the Peoria Metro.”

Clark says considering the current economic climate, this news is reason to celebrate. This is proof that things are better in this region than in many others.”