Old Southside School Used to Innovate Fresh Ideas
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: December 20, 2012
PEORIA - An old school on Peoria's southside is being transformed into a wellspring for new business, and a businessman hopes to bring sustainable business back into the community.
"I guess if you don't dream big you'll never accomplish anything big."
Tim Krueger has a vision that he hopes will change the scope of the community. That vision is being born within the old Blaine Sumner School building, which he and a business partner now own.
"We really just want to ignite that passionate individual, where you need help, we want to make it easier," he said.
So he's starting Thrive Capital, a company designed to develop and invest in local businesses that benefit the community. It's a benefit corporation, a new type of model to be allowed by the state on January 1, 2013.
"In a normal corporation, its main focus is to return to share holders. With a benefit corporation, it really returns to shareholders, customers, employees, the environment and the community," he said.
In his vision, the old school will turn into office and meeting spaces for businesses like inner city grocery stores and community gardens.
"We really have exciting plans depending on who joins us a lot of companies to start out of this space."
Krueger says he got the idea from similar companies oversees and changes will be made to school building's exterior to make it more lively.
"I guess if you don't dream big you'll never accomplish anything big."
Tim Krueger has a vision that he hopes will change the scope of the community. That vision is being born within the old Blaine Sumner School building, which he and a business partner now own.
"We really just want to ignite that passionate individual, where you need help, we want to make it easier," he said.
So he's starting Thrive Capital, a company designed to develop and invest in local businesses that benefit the community. It's a benefit corporation, a new type of model to be allowed by the state on January 1, 2013.
"In a normal corporation, its main focus is to return to share holders. With a benefit corporation, it really returns to shareholders, customers, employees, the environment and the community," he said.
In his vision, the old school will turn into office and meeting spaces for businesses like inner city grocery stores and community gardens.
"We really have exciting plans depending on who joins us a lot of companies to start out of this space."
Krueger says he got the idea from similar companies oversees and changes will be made to school building's exterior to make it more lively.
