Quad Cities First launches study to grow targeted and emerging industries

Quad Cities First, the economic development division of the Quad Cities Chamber, is working with Conway, Inc. to develop a tactical business attraction and expansion strategy to grow the targeted and emerging industries in the region.

There are more than 300 business subsectors within the Quad Cities region’s five targeted industries: Advanced Manufacturing, Agricultural Innovation, Corporate Operations and Services, Logistics and Defense. This study will identify two subsectors of these industries unique to the Quad Cities and prescribe tactical action plans to expand them.

“This future-forward industry study is identifying the two subsectors that we believe, based on qualitative and quantitative research, are going to generate the most economic and social impact for the region over the next 10 to 15 years,” said Guillermo Mazier, Vice President of Global Innovation for Conway. “We’re looking at industries that cut across industries, industries that are woven into almost every company in the Quad Cities.”

Examples of these types of subsectors include robotics and sensors, Mazier said.

The study’s results will serve as a roadmap for regional economic development leaders to leverage assets and address any challenges or barriers to growth, said Liz Murray Tallman, the Chamber’s Chief Economic Development Officer.

“This is an opportunity to create a compelling point of differentiation for the Quad Cities, based on the competitive advantage of our targeted industries, that truly distinguishes us from other regions across the country,” Murray Tallman said.

The Chamber’s economic development team also will continue to promote the five targeted industries and 300-plus subsectors in the Quad Cities. Results of the growth strategy study will be announced this summer.