Business guidance through COVID-19 among Chamber’s FY20 successes

Despite the economic hurdles brought on by COVID-19, the Quad Cities Chamber has accomplished many successes over the past year. 

"Anytime we have a year like the first part of 2020, it's good to reflect that we're still in business," Chamber President & CEO Paul Rumler said, acknowledging Chamber staff, board members and volunteers for always taking the initiative to support the region's business community. "The Chamber's role in serving area businesses has never been more important."

Because of cash-conserving measures, grants from area foundations and the continued support and investment from our members and sponsors, the Chamber remains in a stable financial position.

Here are the top five highlights of the Chamber's 2020 fiscal year (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020):

• 54 economic development projects, including seven successful projects, resulting in $16 million of capital investment, nearly 130 jobs and an annual economic impact of $29 million
• 14 additional projects that helped manufacturers create and retain 66 jobs and increase annual sales by $5.9 million
• New programs to connect small and medium business owners and managers with best practices and peer guidance, including our especially popular Peer Roundtables program
• New Advocacy Action Center, which engaged 1,000 business leaders and elevated their voices on issues at the local, state and federal level, including tax rates; workers’ compensation; transportation and infrastructure projects; and a regional funding mechanism
• Work of place management entities in downtown Davenport and downtown Bettendorf to support the needs of downtown businesses – responding to last year’s flood and creating an attractive and vibrant area to call home

"At the Quad Cities Chamber, we believe in creating a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive," Rumler said. "Our role is to facilitate business growth to accomplish our region's Q2030 regional vision."

This year marks the Chamber's 10th anniversary, and the success over the past fiscal year represents a continuation of our efforts as well as the investments made by the Quad Cities business community to positively impact the region's economic growth. Together, our work has earned over $3 billion in economic impact and the addition of 12,000 jobs over the past decade.

In March, our collective world turned upside down, and the Chamber team quickly pivoted to continue serving regional businesses. Here's how we responded during the last few months of fiscal year 2020:

• Direct communication with nearly 1400 businesses, daily updates and surveys to keep a pulse on their needs
• Advocacy at the state and federal level – first for financial assistance and less regulatory burden and then to safely reopen the economy
• Guidance through the complicated process of receiving financial assistance
• Nearly 30 webinars, a COVID-19 Resource Guide and Reopening Toolkit for businesses

“I’ve heard from many businesses that the Chamber was their lifeline to timely and reliable information that helped them stay in business, shift gears and serve their customers,” Rumler said. “It’s gratifying to know the Chamber’s work is making a difference.”