Rock Island Today

The Quad Cities Chamber is celebrating its 10th anniversary, with 2020 marking a new focus on helping the regional economy grow and provide prosperity for all.

In the Quad Cities Chamber’s Q2030 regional vision, the organization outlined its goals for the next decade which include growing the region’s population, serving more businesses, and increasing the gross regional product, according to the Quad Cities Chamber’s blog. To achieve its goals, the chamber has worked for the past year and indicated its path to its 10-year goal has changed.

“Over the last year we’ve worked to streamline our organization, reduce internal silos and create efficiencies to maximize the impact of our resources on the region’s economic growth and your success,” the chamber said.

In addition, the chamber merged with Quad Cities First, an economic development group, and created a new team aimed at economic development and growth. Staff adjustments have also been made, and the chamber’s Board of Directors will now include local government officials and school officials.

“It’s great to have everyone on the same team so we can speak and act with one voice,” Chamber President and CEO Paul Rumler said in a blog. “It’s the best way to advance business and economic growth in the region."

Numerous other organization changes have been made in aligning other groups, including the Rock Island Arsenal Development Group, which is now affiliated with the chamber; dissolving the chamber’s political action committee and creating another federal PAC; and aligning the Grow Quad Cities groups of Iowa and Grow Quad Cities and Illinois as the Quad Cities Chamber Foundation.

The chamber also has focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and developed a new tool kit for businesses. Quad Cities Chamber has also adapted to the coronavirus pandemic and conserved cash to remain financially stable.