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CAT staying in Peoria with 31-acre downtown campus

 

By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

 

PEORIA, Ill. — "Caterpillar will stay in Peoria," company Chair and CEO Doug Oberhelman announced at the Caterpillar Visitors Center in downtown Peoria on Friday. "I repeat: Caterpillar will stay in Peoria."

Oberhelman’s words were met with a mix of relief and exhilaration from local and state leaders, including newly elected Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who all gathered to watch Caterpillar, Inc. officials unveil a scale model of their new world headquarters, which will eventually span 31 acres, or six city blocks, on the Peoria riverfront.

No cost for the overhaul was given, nor a time frame for construction, though Oberhelman indicated no heavy construction will take place in 2015. "Caterpillar’s roots in the Peoria area run deep, and this year we celebrate 90 years as a company – a perfect time to share our plans of where we plan to be anchored as we continue to build, develop and power the world," he said.

"This campus represents an investment in both our people and our community, with such features as collaborative work areas, improved technology, a more energy-efficient design, green space and an expanded showcase of our historical equipment, along with food and retail shops – an inviting destination not only for employees, but also for customers, dealers and suppliers from around the world."

The expansive project will center on a three-tower building located in the heart of the six-block campus and will adopt the current CAT world headquarters building, constructed in 1966. The commitment to invest and expand in Peoria, help revitalize its downtown and spur new growth was touted by Oberhelman, Rauner and Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis.

"This new campus is our plan for the future. It’s a long-term future and long-term plan," said Oberhelman. "We’re here in Peoria to stay."

Rauner took to the microphone to stress that CAT worked out no "special deals" with the state in order to reach its decision to remain in Peoria. The decision came after a multiyear study.

"CAT never came to me or the prior governors and asked for any special deals. They didn’t ask for special treatment," he said.

Ardis said, with audible pride, CAT has called Peoria its home for decades and will continue to for decades to come, thanks to the decision. "Keeping CAT’s world headquarters here is very reassuring," he said. "This announcement should provide leverage for the rest of the business community to reinvest, and spread the message literally around the world that Peoria is on the move and ripe for growth, expansion and new business opportunities."

Former U.S. representative and now federal Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a Peorian, called Feb. 20 "a renaissance day for Peoria" and "a turning point for the community," the Peoria Journal Star reported.

The expanded Caterpillar world headquarters will employ approximately 3,200 workers.

Illinois, worldwide, remains CAT’s largest concentration of employees and facilities with about 22,600 workers and 24 facilities throughout the state, according to Caterpillar.

The first phase of construction will include working with the city on a redevelopment agreement and initiatives such as streetscaping and campus design.

"This new campus will position us for decades to come, serve as an engaging, more productive environment for our current workforce and improve our ability to recruit the best and brightest employees," Oberhelman noted.

2/25/2015