Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute celebrates launch
The Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI), has launched. This groundbreaking partnership between the University of Illinois, Western Illinois University and Iowa State University aims to create a thriving research and innovation ecosystem that directly benefits local businesses, communities and the workforce. Representatives from the Quad Cities Chamber, Illinois and Iowa legislators, university presidents, Rock Island Arsenal's JMTC and John Deere, gathered at Western Illinois University - Quad Cities to formalize the collaboration during a celebratory signing event.
"The launch of the QCMI could not be more timely," said Peter Tokar III, President & CEO, Quad Cities Chamber. "Two weeks ago at our annual meeting, we launched our new economic development regional initiative called Grow Quad Cities. The QCMI represents a giant leap forward in innovation for our region. We are makers, and this initiative and this institute will strengthen our regional maker community in a new way - supporting entrepreneurship, manufacturing and defense in the QC."
Following its mission, the QCMI's collaborations include:
- Joint research and development
- Training and workforce development
- Shared research facilities and infrastructure
- Public and private partnerships, with a dynamic engagement model for private partners
- Supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) mission
- Technology creation and demonstration in collaboration with industry, locally and nationally
"Having R1 research universities in our region has always been an economic development priority, so this is an exciting development," said Julie Forsythe, Senior Vice President of Business & Economic Growth. “Now having two R1s accessible in the region will be a catalyst and accelerant for innovation. It elevates the Quad Cities region as being THE place for manufacturing innovation in the nation. If you are a startup or an established growing business in that space – this is the place to be located.”
