Two Quad Cities community and industry leaders – Doug House and David Aguirre – were appointed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority (QCREDA).
QCREDA bills itself as an economic development financing tool available to 11 northwestern Illinois counties. It helps to lower the cost of financing for businesses, not-for-profits, senior housing and public projects located in a region that includes the counties of Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Knox, Carroll, Lee, Whiteside, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Boone and Winnebago.
Mr. House has spent his professional career in public service at all levels of government with a focus on transportation, infrastructure, and workforce development, the governor’s office said in a news release about Mr. House’s appointment.
Mr. House also previously served as the deputy secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. He was in that role when the Quad Cities celebrated the ribbon cutting on the new Interstate 74 Bridge. For many years, he was general manager of Municipal Services for the City of Moline.
In his various roles, Mr. House also has worked closely with the existing business community in northwestern Illinois. He understands the need to grow and foster new businesses to create jobs for the state’s skilled workforce, the governor’s office said.
Mr. House was recognized as the Preservationist of the Year for his work revitalizing Moline’s historic Prospect Park. He was recently inducted into the AFL-CIO Organized Labor Hall of Fame.
Ready to get to work
“I have been active in public service across Western Illinois all of my adult life and truly love the area,” Mr. House told the QCBJ. “My adult children have stayed here and are now raising my grandchildren here. It is important that we help to continue our region’s growth to create good paying sustainable jobs whether in the initial construction phase or in long-term employment.”
He added, “We have a skilled and trained workforce in northwestern Illinois that we need to be creating jobs for. I am anxious to get to work with this economic development team and put the QCREDA tools to work for our region.”
Mr. Aguirre is a seasoned electrician with more than 32 years of experience in the electrical trade. That includes as the current director of construction services for Tri-City Electric Co., Davenport.
He began his career as an apprentice, and advanced to journey wireman, foreman and later to prefabrication manager and director of preconstruction, virtual design and construction.
Throughout his career, Mr. Aguirre has been recognized for his innovation, the release said. He often has managed teams where he has overseen complex projects. They include new construction, design-build, building renovation, lighting, and power distribution.
‘Exciting, humbling’ opportunity
“I am incredibly honored to be selected for the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority,” Mr. Aguirre said. “This opportunity is both humbling and exciting.”
“As a long tenured field electrician transitioned to a director in electrical construction, I am excited to bring a hands-on perspective to our efforts in growing the region’s economy,” he told the QCBJ.
”I hope to focus on improving infrastructure, advocating for skilled trades, and supporting renewable energy initiatives,” he added. “By enhancing our infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices, I believe we can attract new businesses and create job opportunities that will benefit the entire community. Together, we can build a brighter economic future for our region.”
Mr. Aguirre also is passionate about sharing his decades of experience with those new to the field as an apprenticeship instructor. He has been an officer of the IBEW and is a trustee for the Quad Cities Electrical Training Center in Moline.
QCREDA was created in 1987. Its powers enable it to issue taxable or tax-exempt revenue bonds on behalf of a company for the purpose of developing, constructing, acquiring or improving facilities within the region. These bonds result in a lower interest rate for the borrower than may otherwise be obtainable if the bonds were rated only on the strength of the company.
Among its development tools are Industrial Revenue Bonds, Housing Bonds, Not-for-Profit Bonds and Enterprise Zones.
