Blog

Quad Cities Chamber Blog

QC, That's Where the Quad Cities Chamber and area businesses in our family of communities are advancing regional prosperity and advocating for economic growth along the Mississippi River. 

Want to stay informed, sign up for our weekly enews.

Chris Caves
Chris Caves completes Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals
March 13, 2024
Chris Caves, Vice President, Business & Economic Growth at the Chamber received her Certificate in Workforce Development Fundamentals. This joint certificate program empowers professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the intersection of economic and workforce development while closing education gaps. Each certificate recipient completed an intensive and comprehensive 6-week curriculum,
New members
Chamber welcomed 20 new members in February
March 13, 2024
Chamber membership numbers are strong as we begin 2024.
Big Muddy Rankings 2023
Quad Cities recognized for economic development projects in Mississippi River Corridor
March 13, 2024
The Quad Cities region ranked in the Top 10 Mississippi River Corridor metros by Site Selection Magazine. The rankings, which include all metro regions along the Mississippi River corridor, are based on corporate facility investment projects that meet certain criteria.
Weekly economic trends quad cities
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
March 12, 2024
The U.S. trade deficit rose in January following a significant decrease in the deficit for the 2023 calendar year. Local trade statistics for 2022 are now available, and the Quad Cities moved up the rankings from 52nd to 47th largest exporter among U.S. metropolitan areas. In the category of manufacturing of machinery, the Quad Cities ranked in the top-10 metro areas. This week, we look at the Quad Cities top exporting industries and what to expect in 2024.
U.S. Capitol
Quad Cities Chamber statement on President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address
March 8, 2024
President Joe Biden touched on issues impacting the Quad Cities in his State of the Union address, with both positive and negative impacts on our region. Site-readiness, workforce issues - including education and immigration - and the tax structure are all key concerns for the Quad Cities Chamber. 
Mayor Reggie Freeman
Chamber reacts to East Moline State of the City address
March 6, 2024
On Thursday, March 7, East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman delivered the 2024 State of the City address, highlighting key accomplishments and priorities from the past year. East Moline's cohesive plan aligns with the Chamber's priorities, focusing on investments in downtown and riverfront amenities, as well as attracting new businesses to the area.
Quad Cities Chamber Washington DC Trip
Chamber travels to Washington D.C. to advocate for federal legislative priorities
March 6, 2024
The Quad Cities Chamber delegation traveled to our nation’s capital this week to advocate for our federal legislative priorities meeting with U.S. Senate and House members over two days.
Iowa 80 Distribution Center
Iowa 80 Group celebrates Distribution Center opening
March 6, 2024
The Iowa80.com Distribution Center celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, Feb. 27. This $20 million capital investment includes a state-of-the-art warehouse equipped with advanced technology and an additional 132,921 square feet of available space for lease.
Weekly economic trends quad cities
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
March 5, 2024
This week we depart from the usual news headline-oriented topics to take a deeper dive into some background data on the Quad Cities region. Our economic and demographic data dashboard contains key indicators to help you get to know the region.
Hickey Global Site Visit
Hickey Global to help Chamber tackle site readiness
February 28, 2024
Hickey Global Economic Development Consulting, a full-service economic development consulting firm, met with the Chamber and its economic development partners this week. David Hickey, Managing Director of Hickey & Associates, and Barry Matherly, President & CEO of Hickey Global, toured sites in both the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities.
Moline State of the City address
Chamber reacts to Moline State of the City address
February 28, 2024
In her State of the City Address, Mayor Rayapati spoke on the importance of having a balanced approach to governing that would ensure a bright future for the city. The Chamber supports the City's commitment to keeping property tax rates low, and is pleased to see its grant program succeed.
Weekly economic trends quad cities
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
February 27, 2024
Productivity was up in the U.S. economy in the fourth quarter of 2023 both for the manufacturing sector as well as the rest of the economy. The increase in productivity comes even as manufacturing output declined in the quarter. What is the reason for this, and what implication does it have for the fight against inflation? We answer these questions this week with an eye toward what to expect in the months ahead.
Bettendorf State of City Address
Chamber reacts to Bettendorf State of the City address
February 22, 2024
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher delivered the 2024 State of the City address. Many of the initiatives he highlighted align with the Chamber’s local legislative agenda.
Ryan Sempf
Iowa Legislature completes first funnel
February 22, 2024
Iowa's first legislative funnel is complete. Although surviving bills are not across the finish line, they have completed the first key step in becoming law. Read more about the bills the Chamber is tracking, and where they stand.
Illinois State Capitol
Chamber reacts to Governor Pritzker’s budget address
February 22, 2024
The Quad Cities Chamber applauds Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for a continued commitment to balanced budgets, which creates stability and certainty for businesses and residents. The Chamber sees…
Bill Polley
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
February 20, 2024
Economic news has been better than expected, and that has consequences for bond yields. Why has the 10-year Treasury note been on a roller coaster ride lately, and what does it mean for consumers and small businesses? This week, we continue our focus on financial markets and look at how the bond market responds to changing expectations.
Chamber office
Chamber office update
February 13, 2024
We’re excited to share that the Quad Cities Chamber office will be moving this spring/summer.
Bill Polley
Weekly Economic Trends and Indicators
February 13, 2024
On Friday, the S&P 500 stock index reached 5000 for the first time in its history. What does it mean for Main Street when Wall Street is hitting record highs? This week we put the stock market into perspective by explaining some of the reasons for the recent gains and how these events impact consumer and business confidence and spending.
Peter Tokar III
Q & A with Chamber President and CEO, Peter Tokar III
February 7, 2024
​​​​​​As Peter Tokar III, MBA, MEDP settles into his new role as the President & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber, we asked him a few questions about the community he just stepped into, and what his thoughts are about our area and its status as a "best kept secret." Tokar comes to the Quad Cities most recently from McKinney, Texas where he was President & CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation.
Illinois Manufacturing
Made in Illinois grant program announced, Chamber integral in creation
February 7, 2024
Last week, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced with the Governor’s Office the Made in Illinois Grant Program. The creation of this funding tool was a direct result of the Chamber's Business & Economic Growth team relentlessly advocating for matching grant funding for manufacturing in Illinois.