PEORIA MAGAZINE April 2022

The Ag Lab sits at 1815 N. University St. in Peoria.

G U E S T C O M M E N T A R Y

DISTILLERY LABS, AN INTRODUCTION Giving talent a reason to come to Peoria, and to stay

BY NATE DOMENIGHINI PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DISTILLERY LABS

P eoria is a hub of creative minds. We consistently pump out leaders, innovators, artists and musicians who have changed the community around them in incredibly impactful and unique ways. Then, we shoot ourselves in the foot.

We sit idly by while our competitors yank homegrown talent from our arms. Our communities and employers suffer as a result. The Peoria area has long been a breeding ground for enormous talent, but we haven’t done the best job giving

that talent a reason to stay. It’s a lost opportunity. Peoria has a storied history in entrepreneurship. Our whiskey distilling industry, for example, was once our identity. Perhaps you’ve sipped some JK Williams or sat down in the comfort of the newly renovated Black Band Distillery on Adams Street. Peoria is again dabbling in distilling. In essence, that’s what Distillery Labs aims to be for area startups and entrepreneurs — a distiller of ideas and innovation. Distillery Labs is seeking the malt and the mash — the ideas born in local basements and home offices that need to be nurtured. Business founders and entrepreneurs need access to as many resources as possible. We — Andrew Ngui, Director of Innovation and Startups at the Greater

A #GirlsinTech session.

48 APRIL 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE