Quad Cities Chamber Blog

The U.S. economy continues to experience robust growth, which could cause interest rates to remain higher for longer. This week, we take a look at why the financial markets reacted so negatively to last week's Federal Reserve meeting and whether recent developments have impacted the outlook for the rest of the year and beyond.

The Chamber partners with the SBDC at WIU-QC to provide consulting services to small business owners, including minority entrepreneurs, on all aspects of operating their business as part of the Small Business Administration. El Sol Entertainment is using the resources at WIU-QC's SBDC to take its business to the next level.

If you feel like the price of gasoline has been rising lately, it is not your imagination. After spending most of the past nine months in a fairly tight range, U.S. retail gasoline prices broke out of that range in August, rising to $3.954 per gallon. What does this sudden rise in the price of gas portend for the fight against inflation and economic prospects for the rest of this year and next year?

The Chamber's downtown placemaking organizations are working every day to make QC downtowns a place that people want to live, work and play in. Let's dive into what's being planned in downtown Rock Island, Davenport and Bettendorf.

How well did some of the Quad Cities' key industries recover from the 2020 COVID-19 recession? According to data recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Quad Cities experienced a robust recovery during 2021, especially in some of our largest industries. In this week's report, we look at the numbers for construction, manufacturing, and logistics.

During the 2022-23 school year, welding students from Davenport West High School and Bettendorf High School created 40 bike racks, 20 each to be installed in their respective downtowns. Their inventive efforts are having a positive impact on our region while equipping each student with real-world skills and showing them the power they have to create change in their communities.

The Quad Cities Chamber welcomed six new members in August. Thank you to each of these organizations for their unique contributions and investment in our region's success- you are making an impact.

Financial markets were anticipating several important pieces of economic data leading up to the Labor Day weekend. There was more evidence that labor demand is decreasing, helping to bring labor markets back into equilibrium. While this should diminish inflationary pressure, the Federal Reserve's key inflation indicators remain uncomfortably high. Is there still hope for a "soft landing?"

Wage growth in the Quad Cities area was slightly below the national average in 2022 in most occupations. However, for certain occupations in high demand industries wage growth was higher than the national average, reflecting the tightening labor market in these key industries. While hiring seems to be slowing relative to the early part of the post-COVID recovery, the strength of wage growth suggests that the demand for labor remains high. In this week's installment, we look at the numbers for these key industries.

No matter your industry or interests, the Chamber Fall Event Series is empowering our members to connect and build relationships with QC businesspeople and leaders. At each event, we provide a stage for you to gain timely, relevant information that ties to the success of your business and our region. Come get connected with fellow members and to fresh ideas so we can create a common thread for our business community to take steps forward towards elevating our region.

The Quad Cities labor market is showing signs of cooling. Unemployment rose slightly in June, and both employment and labor force remain below pre-COVID-19 levels. How much more recovery in labor force should be expected as the economy finds a "new normal?" That is a tricky question as the "gig economy" has made employment statistics harder to interpret. This week, we take a look at those numbers and discuss the "missing" labor force.

Each year, we ask Chamber members to complete a short survey to gain insight on issues important to the regional business community. Share your voice and complete the 2024 Public Policy Survey now.

Companies everywhere are evaluating how their operational practices impact the world, especially the regions in which they’re located. The Chamber spoke with two Quad Cities businesses, John Deere and 3M, who are executing policies and practices to champion long-term sustainability and create positive outcomes in the community. 

Generation Next is a brand new program bringing together the best and brightest mid-career professionals to prepare them for careers as community leaders, and the first cohort is all set to embark on their journey. We're proud to announce the first cohort for Generation Next.

The U.S. trade deficit decreased in June as imports fell while exports held steady. The strong U.S. dollar has been good for consumers, but not for export manufacturers. The Fed's campaign of interest rate hikes and the strength of the U.S. economy relative to the world have kept the dollar strong. A pause in interest rate increases would be welcome news for exporters in the region. What will it take to return the dollar to it's former levels?

The inaugural Regional Champion of Change award was awarded to Larry Anderson during the 2023 Chamber Annual Meeting. The Quad Cities is a better place thanks to Anderson’s efforts in building up the community, and he’s the perfect example of what can be accomplished when we invest in our home communities.

Per Mar was awarded Business of the Year at the Chamber's Annual Meeting. Per Mar’s commitment to growth and providing first-class customer service is what makes them this year’s Business of the Year.

Arron Sutherland and Nicole Watson-Lam were named Co-Volunteers of the Year. Their success in sparking new economic growth opportunities and improving quality of life in downtown Rock Island is what makes them Co-Volunteers of the year. 

The U.S. labor market may be starting to show signs of slowing down in response to rising interest rates. Manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and temporary help were among the sectors with job losses in July. The threat of recession still remains even as businesses report solid earnings. What effect does this have on the Fed's next move on interest rates?

The new Chamber website is now live, and we're here to explain all the features that will make your journey more efficient and enjoyable. The new website will play a key role in providing our members with useful online resources, educating site visitors on the opportunities available in the Quad Cities region and attracting new businesses and talent to the region.