The Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) is a community-led Chamber-affiliated 501c6 nonprofit corporation, that is dedicated to the support and promotion of the Rock Island Arsenal and Quad Cities region's defense industry. The Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) was established to promote the continued health and vitality of Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) as a significant contributor to our national defense and major employer in the QC. In doing so, RIADA seeks to defend the existing missions and employment on RIA and seek opportunities to add additional missions and employment. In addition, RIADA seeks to support and promote defense industries located in the QC.
RIADA is structured with a Board of Directors and an Executive Director. In addition, RIADA is strongly supported in its efforts by The Roosevelt Group (TRG), a Washington D.C.-based consulting group. The RIADA Executive Director maintains regular and frequent contact with the various key leaders on RIA, including the RIA Garrison Commander (in effect, the ‘mayor’ of RIA, the Commander of the Joint Manufacturing Technology Center (JMTC), and the Commanding Generals of some of the major Army Commands headquartered on RIA, to include First Army, US Army Sustainment Command and the Joint Munitions Command. Members of the Board of Directors also engage with Arsenal leadership. The contact and engagement by the Executive Director and Board members aim to understand the threats, opportunities and needs of RIA-based organizations. Then, working through TRG we engage with members of the QC Congressional delegations, and their staffs, to translate RIA needs into legislative action.
The Rock Island Arsenal, located on a 900-acre island in the Mississippi River, is at the heart of the Quad Cities community and one of the largest employers. It's a joint base comprised of over 70 Department of Defense organizations, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, National Guard and Reserves. The Commands headquartered on the RIA have a global presence supporting the United States armed forces with ammunition, joint logistics support, contracting services, mobilization and training support with advanced manufacturing capabilities.
Overall accomplishments of RIADA since its creation
RIADA achieves most of its results by working with the QC’s Congressional delegation.
- Overall, working through the delegation, we obtained over $115 million in facilities and equipment investments for RIA.
- In addition, RIADA led efforts to obtain workload for the Joint Manufacturing Technology Center (the factory located on RIA).
- Working through the delegation, we drove efforts to obtain $20 million in funding to support the establishment of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCoE) at the JMTC. The AMCoE utilizes a range of additive manufacturing technologies and enabling tools, mostly 3D printing types. This Center makes parts for the Army and the DoD.
- Taking the concept further, we worked to obtain funding to establish the Jointless Hull program at the AMCoE. The Jointless Hull program entails the recent installation of the world’s largest 3D printer. Once the printer is fully operational, we anticipate that it will attract workload from the Army and may attract companies to establish a new presence in the region.
- RIADA supported the Army’s Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA) in their analysis which led to CHRA adding more than 50 new white-collar jobs on RIA.
RIADA's goals
- Fostering relationships and integration of military and community leaders
- Maintaining awareness of strategic events and actions
- Engaging senior local, regional and national leaders in activities that communicate and strengthen the impact of the Arsenal
- Building awareness and market capabilities of the Quad Cities defense industry
- Enhancing and attracting the presence of defense contractors in the Quad Cities
