Quad Cities Chamber Blog

A solid home base for budding entrepreneurs, the Quad Cities region attracts talent with intriguing business opportunities, great quality of life and a diverse mix of arts, culture, sports, parks and nightlife.

A new economic study finds manufacturing generates $4.9 billion in economic output in Rock Island County and supports 13,050 jobs. The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) released those findings during a “Manufacturing Matters” tour stop in Moline.

We strive to provide the critical information, resources and opportunities QC businesses need to thrive. In our Fall 2022 events line-up, we open the room for you to connect and build relationships with people from all industries. And we provide a stage for you to gain timely, relevant information that ties to the success of your business and our region.

The Quad Cities Chamber, in partnership with the City of Rock Island, today announced that it has been selected to receive a $3 million grant for downtown Rock Island revitalization.

The Quad Cities Chamber held its Annual Meeting, presented by TBK Bank, on Thursday, Aug. 11, at Rhythm City Casino Resort. During the luncheon event Chamber leaders highlighted the organization’s accomplishments from the past year and announced LaDrina Wilson as CEO. Focused on facilitating business growth, the Chamber advocates for businesses, provides resources and builds networks. By serving as collaborators, conveners and connectors, the Chamber engages and aligns with partners to create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive. 

The Quad Cities Chamber honored Kathy Daily with the Volunteer of the Year award during its 2022 Annual Meeting presented by TBK Bank. Daily served on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee of the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP), a Chamber affiliate placemaking and place management organization, for nine years and also spent four years as treasurer. She recently completed her third term on the board. However, she was part of the downtown community for much longer.

During the Quad Cities Chamber 2022 Annual Meeting, we honored nine Ambassadors who’ve generously served as volunteers to this organization for 10 years or more. All of them also have served as Ambassadors in our predecessor organizations, some giving 20 to 30 years total.

The Quad Cities Chamber honored Quad City Engineering Co., Inc., as the Business of the Year at its 2022 Annual Meeting presented by TBK Bank. Quad City Engineering is a design and tool manufacturing facility that serves local and national customers through 3-D design and build of tooling, dies, welding, fabrication and small-run production. The company has experienced significant growth in the past 18 months.

The Chamber has created two new Advocacy Councils to strengthen our efforts and the conversations we will have with local, state and federal elected officials. Regional business leaders, experts in their respective sectors, are providing us guidance in the policy arena as members of the Mobility & Infrastructure Council and the Tax & Regulation Council.

Downtown Rock Island property owners seeking to stabilize their investment and revitalize downtown submitted a proposal to the Rock Island City Council on Monday, formally requesting it to consider establishing a Special Service Area (SSA) in partnership with a new Quad Cities Chamber place management organization.

Terry Ambrozi has a long history with the Chamber – June marked her 43rd year – but she doesn’t feel like she’s worked a day in her life, at least, not in the usual sense of “work.” According to Ambrozi, "If you love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work,” she said.

Many businesses are concerned about the future path of the economy. In a mid-year U.S. Economic Outlook White Paper, Dr. Kenneth A. Kriz, Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Director of the Institute of Public Finance at the University of Illinois, leans on three forecast models to weigh the potential for a recession.

This summer, through the Quad City Arts’ Public Sculpture Program and Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program, our region celebrated 16 new installations across our family of communities. The Quad Cities Chamber and our affiliated placemaking and place management organizations: Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO), Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) and Downtown Rock Island recognize and value the impact the arts have on our region and in the work we do.

We welcome our new officers and five new board members and thank our four retiring members for all they have and continue to do to strengthen our region. To all past and present members of the board, your commitment is commendable and deeply appreciated.

Last week the Chamber’s team hosted four national site consultants who spent two days immersed in the region, learning more about our targeted industries, businesses, workforce higher education programs and partnerships, plentiful natural resources and the QC’s innovative spirit.

Starting July 5, Dr. LaDrina Wilson, Quad Cities Chamber Board Chair and CEO of IMAN Consulting, will serve as the organization’s Interim CEO.

The Quad Cities Chamber Golf Outing was a success thanks to our sponsors. Despite a short bout of rain, more than 200 golfers enjoyed a day of networking and friendly competition on the greens at Pinnacle Country Club. We encourage everyone to support the businesses that made this event possible.

The QC's transportation assets are an advantage to all businesses and Fortune 500 companies – like Arconic -- that call this region home. They enable the constant flow of products and supplies – on ground and in air – essential for ImpactLife to achieve its mission. And access to road, rail and river allows Alter Logistics to provide customized transportation and distribution solutions for businesses here and across the world.

Fair Oaks Foods is planning to construct a state-of-the-art food production facility in Davenport, pending state and local project approvals. The $134 million investment includes a 150,000 square-foot facility in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Center and will create an estimated 247 new full-time jobs. The company plans to start operations in early 2024. This development is expected to have an annual economic impact of $182 million, making it the largest business attraction project in the region’s history.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed The Family Bereavement Act into law on Thursday, expanding bereavement leave to include pregnancy loss or other situations impacting fertility, adoption or pregnancy. The Support Through Loss Act requires employers to provide up to two weeks of unpaid leave.