Quad Cities region earns national recognition for economic development projects along Mississippi River corridor

Recent investment in the Quad Cities metro region has been recognized by Site Selection Magazine as part of its 2019 Governor’s Cup Awards. The economic development magazine annually ranks metropolitan and micropolitan areas by number of projects per capita and by total number of projects.  

The Quad Cities and Clinton areas achieved high grades in the 2019 Big Muddy Cup rankings, awarded to metro areas along the Mississippi River corridor with the most corporate facility projects over an 18-month period. In the Big Muddy Cup division, the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL, area ranked #6 in the Top Metros by Total Projects (21). Clinton, Iowa, also ranked #10 in Top Metros by Projects as well as #3 in Top Metros by Projects per Capita. Data from 33 metropolitans and micropolitans along the Mississippi River corridor are analyzed for the Muddy Cup rankings.

“This continued recognition of growth in our region keeps us at the forefront of competing communities in terms of corporate investments, jobs and talent,” says Liz Murray Tallman, Chief Economic Development Officer for the Quad Cities Chamber. “This momentum builds awareness of the Quad Cities to companies and site location consultants across the country, showcasing our region as a quality place to do business.”  

Both Illinois and Iowa also received recognition for their statewide development activity in the 2019 honors. Illinois was ranked #3 for Top States by Number of Projects as well as #4 for Top States by Projects per Capita. Iowa ranked #5 for Top States by Projects per Capita.

Awards are based on growth in the industries of manufacturing, call centers, headquarters, data centers, distribution warehouse, office and research and development. To qualify toward the project count, expansions must include new construction and meet one or more of the following: 20 or more new job created, 20,000 square feet or more in new square footage and an investment of $1 million or more in construction cost, land, building or employees. 

In 2019, there were 21 construction projects in our five target industries totaling $170.9 million in investment, constructing 667,500 square feet and creating 1,008 new jobs in the six-county region of Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties in Iowa, and Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties in Illinois.

View the full list of national and metro rankings in the 2019 Governor's Cup Awards.