2020 recap: Pivots pave way for more prosperous year ahead

This year presented an onslaught of challenges to organizations of every size, industry and location, including the Quad Cities Chamber. Fortunately, our Economic Forecast presenter projected a strong recovery in the second half of 2021, and because our region has one of the most diversified economies in the country, we are expected to rebound quicker than competing communities. Despite the obstacles, our team spent 2020 laying the groundwork for a better-than-ever Quad Cities when the recovery begins. And thanks to a strong commitment from members and strategic financial management, the Chamber is hopeful to weather the economic impact of COVID-19 and continue to do what we do best – serve our members and stakeholders in the regional business community.

Determined to create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive, we served over 3,200 businesses in 2020. The Chamber also adopted a strategic framework to guide our organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) journey. Specifically, we continued to build our internal team’s competencies, skills and knowledge in DEI and launched a DEI Toolkit to help other organizations advance their journey. In alignment with Q2030, the Chamber is advancing our regional business and economic growth, placemaking and talent attraction & development by providing our core services this team championed on your behalf in 2020.

COVID-19 response

When the pandemic turned our collective world upside down in March 2020, we quickly pivoted to meet the needs of the regional business community.

Highlights

• Advocated for financial relief for businesses at the state and federal level and called on Iowa and Illinois leaders to work together to safely reopen our regional economy at the same time
• Conducted 126 business consultations on financial assistance, including PPP loans, to help organizations survive the economic downturn
• Provided regular updates with the latest reliable information and resources, including 40 webinars, a COVID-19 Resource Guide and a Reopening Toolkit, to help businesses make decisions and protect the health of their workforce/operations
• Launched promotions to drive support of local businesses and local spending, including Keep It QC

Business & Economic Growth

The Chamber merged with its longtime economic development arm called Quad Cities First, establishing a new team aligned to serve the full spectrum of business & economic growth needs. In addition to some adjustments to the Chamber staff, we worked to strengthen partnerships with other area business service providers to best serve our market segments. Our Business and Economic Growth team continues to see an increase in business attraction and expansion projects.

Highlights

• Provided 140 technical assists to primary industries through 76 business connection calls
• Managed 64 projects in 2020, including 49 business attraction and 10 successful projects
• Connected non-primary industry B2B and B2C leaders with best practices and guidance through programs like Peer Roundtables and Chamber 101
• Completed the targeted industry study, which is guiding our efforts to attract companies in the ag tech and materials tech sectors
• Used business intelligence tools to publish the first Quarterly Market Report
• Formed the Targeted Industry Council
• Finished Phase 2 of the Industry Resiliency grant from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment and secured $50,000 through the EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance program (Quad Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub)

Government Affairs

Our Government Affairs team spent the bulk of 2020 advocating for the needs of businesses at the local, state and federal level – first for financial assistance and less regulatory burden and then to safely reopen the economy. Prior to the pandemic, we also drafted legislation for a regional funding mechanism, however, the effort was stalled due to COVID-19.

Highlights

• Created the Advocacy Action Center, which engaged more than 1,750 business leaders and elevated their voices on issues at the local, state and federal level
• Helped defeat the State of Illinois’ proposed graduated income tax amendment in the Nov. 3 election

Placemaking

The Quad Cities downtowns group completed a housing study for three area downtowns as well as a marketing video to promote the action and amenities in seven downtowns across the region. The video will be released in 2021. The Chamber’s place management entities in downtown Davenport and downtown Bettendorf continued to lead the group and work with fellow downtowns to create an attractive and vibrant area to live and visit.

Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) highlights

• Celebrated the opening of 20 new businesses
• Completed a strategic Master Plan to help determine the economic and cultural future of downtown Davenport
• Hosted 18 COVID-19-friendly events and programs, including Second Saturdays and Between Two Bridges, to draw people to downtown businesses
• Ushered the new vault ordinance through Davenport City Council, resulting in the completion of a streetscaping project in the 100 block of 3rd Street
• Converted light poles to LED, transferred ownership to the City of Davenport and progressed public-private electric grid improvements
• Approved new cleaning and snow removal agreements with the City
• Secured $50,000 in startup funding from the Regional Development Authority (RDA) for the development of the Downtown Ambassador program

Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO) highlights

• Celebrated the opening of nine new businesses
• Set the organization and downtown Bettendorf up for success following the launch of DBO in July 2019
• Focused on promotions, particularly growing the follower audience and engagement on DBO's Facebook page
• Promoted construction progress of the iconic Interstate 74 bridge, which continues to fuel downtown after the recent opening of the new Iowa-bound span
• Secured $8,559 from the Scott County Regional Authority (SCRA) for the development of a Pocket Park next year near the foot of the new bridge

Sales & Marketing

Our Sales & Marketing team was laser-focused on providing business leaders reliable information, resources and connections to grow their organization; promoting Chamber members and support of local businesses; enhancing the Quad Cities brand; and marketing the region to encourage new investment here.

Highlights

• Launched Keep It QC, a movement about the power of doing business locally, and introduced Keep It QC Visa® gift cards to promote local spending
• Started a collaboration with Visit Quad Cities to develop a Quad Cities brand and image to strengthen our regional marketing efforts
• Pivoted and hosted a total of 60 events, including Annual Celebration, Golf Outing and Economic Forecast
• Hosted 41 ribbon cuttings
• Communicated important information and resources for businesses, as well as the progress of Chamber work, to show members their return on investment

Talent Attraction and Development

The Chamber partnered with United Way Quad Cities on a comprehensive regional talent study to help address the variety of workforce challenges Quad Cities employers are experiencing. Funded by the John Deere Foundation, the study wrapped up this month, and the results will be shared in early 2021. This study will provide an important framework for the Chamber’s role in regional talent attraction/development efforts.

Looking ahead to 2021

Thank you to our members and volunteers for your investment of time and other resources in the Chamber. Your support helps us serve you and doubles as an investment in our region’s success as we focus on growing our Gross Regional Product (GRP) and population. We look forward to working with you to create a prosperous 2021.