Annual Meeting celebrates Chamber achievements and collective wins
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.
“LaDrina is an exceptional leader and facilitator. She is the right person at the right time to lead our Chamber. This commitment will provide the stability needed and ensure the good work of the Chamber continues. It also provides us with a unique opportunity to develop a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the region and determine a strategic plan for the organization that aligns with the needs of the Quad Cities region,” said Debbie Anselm, Quad Cities Chamber Board Chair and Publisher of the Quad-City Times and Dispatch/Argus.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to serve our region as CEO for the Quad Cities Chamber,” said Wilson. “Looking forward, we are an effective and efficient organization, and we won’t stray from our roots. We will re-evaluate our priorities, our past practices and we will act on that insight to push our work to the next level.”
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.
Chamber leaders shared the accomplishments of Fiscal Year 2022
“There is much to celebrate in our region over the last year,” said A.J. Loss, FY22 Board Chair and CEO of Bush Construction. “We are grateful for the partnerships and investors who continually come together to better our region. Looking back, we have much to be proud of and our collective efforts will help grow our economy.”
One of the most significant accomplishments of FY 2022 was the launch of the new regional brand in partnership with Visit Quad Cities. QC, That’s Where! provides us a spirited platform in which to boast about QC innovative industry leaders and creative start-ups, our welcoming culture and events, abundant career opportunities, our shared values and generous community support. QC, That’s Where! will put us on the map and into the minds of site selectors, businesses seeking a Midwest location and draw new talent and trades into our region.
Business & Economic Growth
- Involved with 72 new active projects including 59 business attractions and 13 business expansions.
- Achieved seven major economic development wins representing $140.5 million total investment and $195 million economic impact for our region.
- Assisted in landing Fair Oaks Foods, which plans to invest $134 million in a new food production facility with an annual economic impact estimated at $182.9 million, making it the largest business attraction project in Chamber history.
- Participated in 560 company outreach connections, 2,626 resource assists, and 90 ribbon cuttings and business celebrations within the six-county region.
- Guided six QC companies awarded a Manufacturing 4.0 Workforce Innovation Grant or a Technology Investment Grant through the Iowa Economic Development Authority with a total investment topping $2 million.
- Contributed funding to the region’s two Small Business Development Centers to hire business advisors to serve to minority entrepreneurs.
- Hosted four national site consultants on a two-day tour of the region to learn about QC targeted industries, businesses, workforce, infrastructure and available properties.
Talent Attraction & Development
- Launched Leadership QC, a nine-month program anchored in corporate social responsibility, positioning future leaders with the core values, knowledge and network to drive the region’s success.
- Engaged 32 minority businesses in the new African American Business Council and Women’s Business Council.
- Increased partnerships and participation in the High School Registered Apprenticeship Program to 66 students and 17 employers.
- Hosted the QC Mayors’ Youth & Young Adult Hiring Fair attended by 250+ young adults and 42 employers.
- Administered the Home Base Iowa Program in partnership with Scott County and the City of Davenport. Six veterans took advantage of the program and relocated to the QC.
- Organized two Business Forums to discuss talent attraction and retention and seek new approaches to solve workforce challenges.
- Launched a multi-media marketing campaign targeting college graduates, skilled trades and mid-career professionals in Chicago, Des Moines and more, to move to the QC.
Placemaking & Place Management
- Celebrated successes with the Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO) including completion of the Interstate 74 bridge, nine new businesses, $50K in façade and interior grants leveraged $278K in downtown improvements, and new beautification and marketing initiatives.
- Celebrated successes with the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) including 15 completed projects representing $31 million in new investment, plus 21 new and expanded businesses.
- Completed 75% of the short-term initiatives in the Downtown Davenport Master Plan and the City of Davenport began flood mitigation work.
- Awarded $58K to Davenport property and business owners in façade improvement grants, leveraging $582K; and $20K in interior improvement grants, leveraging $133K.
- Secured $4.4 million in the City of Rock Island, State of Illinois and private funding to transform Rock Island’s central business district.
- Continued exploration of a downtown Rock Island place management organization and Special Service Area to enhance, maintain, program and promote downtown assets.