QCBJ Newsmakers: Chamber targets July 2025 for Grow Quad Cities launch

Peter Tokar III, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce's president and CEO, announces a new, two-prong community and economic development approach Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the chamber’s annual meeting. PHOTO CREDIT TODD WELVAERT

This story is part of the QCBJ’s annual Newsmakers edition. This year-end wrap-up by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s staff includes some of the biggest stories we brought you during 2024. Each story also includes an update on the subject. Excerpts from the original stories as well as the new updates appeared in print in our Monday, Dec. 23 edition.  

The initial story was published in August of 2024.

Since the Quad Cities Chamber first announced creation of a new development and marketing engine to serve the six-county region, top leaders say they have been making progress in their efforts to launch Grow Quad Cities by summer 2025.

“I’ve been encouraged by the continued conversations we’re having with our public and private sector partners on the creation of Grow Quad Cities,” the chamber’s Board Chair Ben Keith told the QCBJ.

“I’m confident that when July 2025 is here, we’ll have the right plan in place and support needed for Grow Quad Cities,” added Mr. Keith, who is the vice president of Electric Transmission at MidAmerican Energy Co.

“Grow Quad Cities has been well received by our investors and public partners,” Quad Cities Chamber CEO & President Peter Tokar III said.

“We’re continuing to do the necessary work to fully launch the organization in July including having individual and group conversations with major business investors in the Quad Cities Chamber as well as discussing needs with each municipality,” Mr. Tokar told the QCBJ. “The team is excited to see the support and we look forward to sharing our plan to expand economic development in our region.”

Mr. Tokar also extended “an open invitation to any business leader who would like to become more involved or find out more about our regional economic development efforts to contact me directly.”  

The Grow Quad Cities priority areas continue to include:

  • Business Development: expanded business attraction and retention, regional marketing.
  • Talent & Workforce Development: more jobs, improved talent pipeline and talent recruitment.
  • Quality of Place Development: more amenities and things to do to entice people to live, move and stay in the QC.

The chamber also continues to stress that there will be no changes to the Quad Cities Chamber’s focus, which includes helping build connections, providing resources and advocating for business. 

 

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