Chamber responds to Bettendorf State of City address

The Quad Cities Chamber applauds Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher's State of the City address, which highlighted the City's consistent focus on fiscal responsibility, orderly and quality development initiatives and excellent quality of life and services for residents - all of which align with the Chamber's Local Legislative Agenda. 

Gallagher discussed the City’s award-winning fiscal stewardship, the efficiencies of its City staff members and how Bettendorf stacks up against other cities in the State of Iowa. We appreciate the Mayor sharing these behind-the-scenes achievements, which show that Bettendorf values the investment of business owners and local taxpayers.

Mayor Gallagher also noted a variety of accomplishments and future capital improvement plans. According to Visit Quad Cities, the TBK complex generated 1.5 million visits in 2025, with 55% of such visits including an overnight stay. Gallagher also discussed the successes seen by The Landing, timelines for the Middle Road and Gateway Bridge infrastructure projects and upcoming events and projects in Downtown Bettendorf. We congratulate the City of Bettendorf on these achievements which generate a powerful economic impact throughout the City and the broader region.

Mayor Gallagher also cautioned that if the State of Iowa follows through on its proposal to implement a 2% cap on property tax growth or disallows Tax Increment Financing to be used in development deals, many of the capital projects currently in the works would have to be scrapped. We hear the Mayor’s concerns and encourage state legislators to take a balanced approach that protects our economic development tools while finding ways to lower costs for vulnerable Iowans.