QC region ranks 5th in Top 10 Mississippi River Corridor metros for economic development projects
The Quad Cities region again ranked in the Top 10 Mississippi River Corridor metros for total number of economic development projects in 2025 by Site Selection Magazine. The rankings are based on projects that qualified for the Conway Projects Database between July 2024 and December 2025 by meeting at least one of three criteria: at least $1 million invested, at least 20 new jobs created or at least 20,000 new sq. ft. of space.
#5 Quad Cities MSA - 16 projects
Total Projects Per Capita
#6 – 16 projects
"These rankings reflect that the Quad Cities region is continually consistent and resilient in our economy and available skilled workforce," said Julie Forsythe, Chief Economic Development Officer for Grow Quad Cities.
Illinois ranks 2nd in 2025 Governor Cups Rankings
The State of Illinois came in second in the 2025 Governor’s Cups Rankings, with Texas capturing 1st place. The ranking is based on business competitiveness, primarily tracking corporate facility investments. Key criteria include the total number of new/expanded corporate facilities, capital investment and job creation.
The database does not track retail, schools, hospitals or government projects.
According to Site Selection magazine, “Illinois placing second in the annual Site Selection Governor’s Cup standings in both the cumulative and per-capita categories is no easy feat. It’s also no accident. Perennially, the Prairie State performs at a top two or top three state level when it comes to landing corporate facility investment deals.”
Kudos was given to Illinois for having a steady hand of leadership guiding economic development: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who has enacted balanced budgets every year and received credit upgrades for the first time in two decades, lowering interest rates and improving the State’s finances.
Site Selection Magazine is an internationally circulated business publication covering corporate real estate and economic development.
