Quad Cities Chamber Blog

Since opening in May, The Granary Coffee House & Brewery has stood true to its mission, providing the QC with a unique destination offering all things craft. It is an entrepreneurial success story and one for the QC region, too. The Granary Coffee House & Brewery created more than seven jobs and is expected to have a $559,483 annual economic impact on our six-county region.

The recent expansion of Bayside Bistro into Rock Island did more than contribute to the economic success and strength of the city; it is having that same effect on the entire QC region. Between the investment in the building and equipment, the jobs created and owners Darryl and LaTisha Howlett’s growing businesses and customer base, Bayside Bistro will have an annual economic impact of $645,726 on our region.

The Quad Cities Chamber welcomed seven new members in August 2022. Thank you to each of these organizations for their unique contributions and investment in our region's success- you are making an impact.

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.