CNNMoney.com announced its list of "Best Places to Launch a Business", where Peoria ranked #5 among midsized metro areas. "Lured to the city by its affordable housing and comparatively cheap commercial real estate -- lab space goes for about $18 a square foot in Peoria vs. $45 in Chicago or St. Louis, both a three hours' drive from Peoria -- entrepreneurs can leverage a vast network of startup assistance. Half a dozen organizations, such as the Heartland Partnership and economic development centers at Bradley University, help small companies access capital." [Full Story]