Peoria ranks 71 among top 200 “Best Places for Business and Careers” in 2011 according to Forbes.com.”  That’s up from #86 in 2010.  The list focuses on three main components:  cost of business, job growth and education.  Topping the list are Raleigh, NC; Des Moines, IA; Provo, UT; Lexington, KY; Fort Collins, CO.

Peoria is ranked 71, topping the list of Illinois cities with Chicago coming in at 80, Lake County at 134 and Rockford at 191.  When analyzing the specific scoring components, Peoria ranked 86 on cost of business list (Shreveport, LA # 1), 67 for job growth (Kennewick, WA #1) and 123 on the education list (Boulder, CO #1).