Bi-State Regional Commission

December 17, 2014 – The Commission accepted the Financial and Compliance Report for fiscal year 2014 as presented by Chuck Austin, Finance and Personnel Committee.  Bohnsack and Frommelt prepared the audit, noting Bi-State complied with all laws, regulations, contracts, and grants.  The Commission once again received the highest audit opinion a AClean Audit@ with no findings or questioned costs.  Congratulations staff!

December 17, 2014 – It’s update time for the Public Officials Directory (POD)!  All communities and counties in the Bi-State Region will be receiving their page from the last directory to update and return for publication.

The directory is available electronically in PDF format with easy-to-use bookmarks to help users more quickly navigate through the document.  It also contains live e-mail links for users to contact elected officials.  To view the directory on our website, go to www.bistateonline.org, scroll down to the Public Officials Directory module on the left-hand side, and click the link to the document.

To update your information or for questions about the directory, please contact Sarah Grabowski at (309) 793-6302 ext. 136 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

December 17, 2014 – Curt Burnett, Quad Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub Executive Director, explained he is a loaned executive from John Deere.  He started November 1 to begin execution of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Hub Plan.  He stated the Hub’s mission is to help regional manufacturers grow through innovation and collaboration.  This will be accomplished with services under development including: seminars and education events; an online catalogue of manufacturers, products, and competencies; a regional innovation asset map of labs, equipment, and talent; online information and collaboration space; a 7/24/365 help desk; and to grow the Quad Cities Manufacturing Lab.  The Hub will connect manufacturers to new technologies, new solutions, new partners, new markets, new profits, and new possibilities.

December 17, 2014 – Colonel Elmer Speights, Jr., Garrison Commander (GC) of the Rock Island Arsenal, provided an overview of base operations to the Bi-State Regional Commission.  Colonel Speights manages services and facilities for the 950 acre Arsenal Island, which includes 336 buildable acres with 141,000 square feet of “move in ready” administrative space, and 310,000 square feet of expansion office & warehouse space.  Colonel Speights reported the Arsenal is working towards energy self-sufficiency or “net zero.”  They are replacing coal-fired energy plants with natural gas and expanding the use of hydroelectric power.

November 19, 2014 – Bi-State Regional Commission offers three economic development reporting, visualization, and analysis tools to member governments, economic development organizations, and businesses to aid in decision-making.

November 19, 2014 – Lisa Miller, Data/GIS Director, and several GIS Coordinators from the region provided an overview of activities related to GIS in their jurisdictions.  Bi-State staff has built relationships with the GIS staff in the various cities and counties in the region.  The GIS data they produce and maintain is integral to the work Bi-State staff does for the region — from planning documents, to direct technical assistance to member governments, to regional maps and projects.  Some examples include the following:

November 19, 2014 – Notice of Public Hearing Concerning the Intent of the Communities of East Moline, Milan, Moline, Rock Island, Silvis, and the County of Rock Island, Illinois,  to apply for an Enterprise Zone designation, to be awarded by the State of Illinois in 2015.

November 20, 2014 – National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) will be recognizing Bi-State Regional Commission's "Evacuation Plan for the Illinois Bi-State Region:

October 22, 2014 – The Quad City International Airport completed major expansion projects in 2014, reported Cathy Rochau, Marketing Director for the Quad City International Airport.  One of the airport’s most recent projects is completion of Phase II Runway rehabilitation project and the addition of guard lights, ALCMS, and markings.

October 22, 2014 – According to Ed Rivers of the Scott County Health Department (SCHD), there are no reported or suspected cases of Ebola in the Quad Cities.  In fact, there is a very low likelihood of an incident in the area.