Rock Island has hired a deeply experienced development leader to fill the newly created position of assistant to the city manager and economic development director, the city recently announced.
Thomas Flaherty, who took on the new post on Monday, Oct. 9, is a native Quad Citian who boasts nearly two decades of experience working in municipal and economic development. For example, the city said, over the course of his career, Mr. Flaherty has generated more than $325 million in development expansions and secured an additional $178 million in regional downtown redevelopment projects.
The new city position was created in an effort to advance economic growth in Rock Island through business development and retention, site development, community relations, and more, the City of Rock Island said in a Friday, Oct. 13, news release announcing his hiring.
In that job, Mr. Flaherty will work in partnership with Rock Island’s Community and Economic Development Department and its Director Miles Brainard.
Development plate full
Mr. Flaherty will help manage a full plate of projects and activities related to development activity in a city tackling a number of such efforts including executing an ambitious downtown revitalization plan.
Mr. Flaherty grew up in Davenport and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and Master’s Degree in business administration from St. Ambrose University. He most recently served as economic development director for Mahaska County, Iowa.
Prior to that, he was executive director of the Mahaska Community Development Group. From 2012 through 2017, he served as vice president of regional business development for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.
“We are excited to bring Tom Flaherty on board to help energize retail, industrial and commercial growth in Rock Island,” City Manager Todd Thompson said. “Tom brings extensive municipal experience to the city and has successfully fostered millions of dollars in growth for other communities. His record of business retention and growth will benefit the community as a whole.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to work for the City of Rock Island,” Mr. Flaherty said in the release. “The staff has been positive, collaborative, and I am excited to get to work.”
