The City of Rock Island and the Development Association of Rock Island (DARI) will dissolve their economic development professional services agreement effective March 31, 2026, following a vote by the DARI Executive Board of Directors.
The agreement, which originally took effect March 11, 2020, and was renewed Dec. 20, 2023, allowed either party to end the partnership with 30 days’ written notice. Under its terms, the city paid DARI $300,000 annually for economic development services.
Mayor Ashley Harris said the split should not be read as a break in the broader relationship between the two organizations.
“The City and DARI have been partners since 2020,” Ms. Harris said in a statement. “Like with all projects, comes a time for realignment and refocus but not to be mistaken — we are still together in the same trenches on a mission for the betterment of the City and its residents.”
Over the course of the six-year agreement, the two organizations collaborated on initiatives aimed at strengthening Rock Island’s economic vitality. DARI said it intends to continue its commitment to Rock Island’s business community and its economic development mission following the agreement’s end.
Founded in 1986, DARI is a member-driven organization focused on economic development, business growth and community vitality in Rock Island. In 2025, the organization conducted an internal assessment to evaluate its services and identify opportunities to strengthen its role as a business-led economic development organization.
