Chamber reacts to Rock Island State of City address

Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms presented the 2024 State of the City address on Monday, Jan. 22 at Bally's Quad Cities. Thoms highlighted many items the Chamber supports that align with our legislative agenda’s goals including:

• Supporting small business
• Encouraging long-term planning for growth
• Supporting implementation of complete streets in the urban core
• Promoting redevelopment and revitalization of blighted neighborhoods

“Rock Island is a great example of a community that is investing in planning and quality of place," said Ryan Sempf, Executive Director of Government Affairs for the Quad Cities Chamber. “The $7.4 million streetscape project highlighted today will build community confidence in downtown Rock Island as a desirable place to locate and grow business.” He said the strong partnership between the Chamber and the Rock Island Downtown Alliance was an integral part of obtaining this funding. 

Also highlighted was the City’s investment of nearly $600,000 in business development and an acquisition of more than 500 acres of land in southwest Rock Island, which they hope to develop. The Chamber supports these investments and is actively promoting new opportunities for the City to support small businesses next budget year.

Earlier this year, the Chamber's public policy survey showed that public safety was a top concern of employers as they seek to attract and retain talent in the area. We were pleased to hear the Mayor’s announcement that there is a decrease in the crime rate in Rock Island.