Education leaders show an agreement signed Friday, Aug. 23, to help start the work of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute during a ceremony at Western Illinois University, Moline. In the front row from left are Wendy Wintersteem, president of Iowa State University; Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System; and Kristi Mindrup, interim president of Western Illinois University. In the back row are QCMI board members Mark Mossman, Jay Walsh and Dean Sam Easterling. PHOTO CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A new manufacturing institute will “super charge” the Quad Cities economy, get workers ready for high-paying jobs and help keep the nation safe. Those are the hopes of business, military and community leaders who are welcoming the new Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI) as a catalyst for the defense and manufacturing sectors across the region. […]
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A new manufacturing institute will “super charge” the Quad Cities economy, get workers ready for high-paying jobs and help keep the nation safe.Those are the hopes of business, military and community leaders who are welcoming the new Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI) as a catalyst for the defense and manufacturing sectors across the region.
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WIU Interim President Kristi Mindrup signs an agreement to help start the work of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute during a ceremony at Western Illinois University, Moline. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Davenport Mayor Mike Matson delivers a speech on Friday, Aug. 23, to help start the work of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute during a ceremony at Western Illinois University, Moline. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State University, delivers a speech on Friday, Aug. 23, to help start the work of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute during a ceremony at Western Illinois University, Moline. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, talks at Friday's event.
People attend Friday's event.
“At our heart, we are a community that builds things. … The world can be a dangerous place. We want to make sure our armed forces have the equipment they need,” said Illinois State Sen. Mike Halpin (36th District) during a ceremony Friday, Aug. 23 on the Western Illinois University - Quad Cities campus in Moline.That event brought together about 100 people from the local business, education and military communities to welcome the beginning steps of the institute. The QCMI is a partnership between Western Illinois University, the University of Illinois System and Iowa State University that will focus on research and development and workforce development in advanced manufacturing and materials. The new entity aims to foster collaboration between the U.S. Army, the Rock Island Arsenal, businesses in the Quad Cities region, the participating universities and community colleges. It will be housed at WIU’s riverfront campus in Moline and the arsenal.“The launch of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute marks a pivotal moment in Western Illinois University's commitment to innovation and workforce development,” WIU Interim President Kristi Mindrup said during Friday’s ceremonial signing of the operating agreement by the presidents of WIU, ISU and the University of Illinois System. “This collaboration between educational institutions and industry will drive technological advancements and nurture a highly skilled workforce for the Quad Cities region and beyond.”Several of the speakers at Friday’s ceremony pointed out that the collaboration is vital because it will ultimately:
Help create and keep jobs in the QC: The institute will better train today’s workers, educate a new generation of workers, and keep people from leaving the community to find work in other parts of the country. The work of the QCMI will keep good-paying jobs in the community, said U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (Illinois District 17) in a videotaped message played during the ceremony.
Collaboration: The QCMI will bring together the talents of people in schools, businesses and the military in a partnership to develop manufacturing and materials. "The launch of QCMI is a giant leap forward in positioning the Quad Cities as a leader in manufacturing innovation,” Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Peter Tokar said. “The combination of Tier 1 research institutions, community collaborators and local industry leaders will cement the Quad Cities as an economic powerhouse and innovation hub of the Midwest.”
Help the military: The partnership between businesses, schools and the military is expected to develop new defense systems and materials that will help keep the nation safe. During the signing ceremony, Col. David Guida, commander of the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) on Arsenal Island, told the audience that the U.S. faces many threats in the world and that collaborative efforts are needed to defend the nation. “Time is of the essence. … We are ready to push the limits of what is possible,” he added. QCMI’s work supports the Department of Defense and defense readiness by contributing to defense-related technologies. An example of the work at the QCMI is materials research for the U.S. Department of Defense. The materials are stronger and lighter than conventional materials while providing more protection. Such materials could be manufactured at the Rock Island Arsenal or by businesses in the local community for use in defense and non-defense applications, according to information from WIU.
“This will super charge innovation here. … The Quad Cities will be the place for advanced manufacturing,” said Jerred Pauwels, vice president of Earthmoving Production Systems and Engineering atJohn Deere.Now that the ceremonial start of the QCMI is complete, the tough work begins, said Jay Walsh, vice president for economic development and innovation at the University of Illinois and a QCMI board member.That work will include the long process of looking at assets in the education, business and military communities, examining the needs of the JMTC on Arsenal Island and developing plans to help each other, he added.However, Mr. Walsh told the QCBJ on Friday that a big part of the institute’s work will also be working with students. Much of that work will focus on getting college-level students ready for the workforce. But there will also be great efforts to work with kindergarten through 12th grade students to show them the importance of manufacturing in the region.QCMI board members met on Thursday and Friday to start that work, Mr. Walsh added."I am eager to see this exciting new partnership with our higher education institutions drive innovative opportunities for manufacturing growth that will create jobs and hope for the entire region,” Mr. Halpin said on Friday. “My commitment is to work closely with the partners in the QCMI to do everything we can in the Legislature to support manufacturing and economic opportunities in the Quad Cities and across the State of Illinois. Congratulations to all on such an important initiative.”Other speakers aid that Friday's event was the first step in making the QCMI a reality, but they have great hopes for its success.“We are looking forward to great things happening. … This initiative will bring to bear our strengths as a land-grant university – fostering collaboration, conducting advanced research and developing innovations that support the local workforce and drive economic growth,” said Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen.
