Bi-State Regional Commission

October 22, 2014 – Ms. Donna Moritz, Revolving Loan Fund Program Administrator, stated since the inception of the Bi-State Revolving Loan Fund program in 1986, nearly $9.4 million has been loaned to 102 businesses in Rock Island and Scott Counties.  These loans have helped generate approximately $134 million in total investments, accessing city and state public financing programs, financial institutions, and company equity.  In addition, over 3,400 jobs have been created/retained in the two-county area.  Ms. Moritz reviewed a new loan made for a manufacturing business expanding and in need of a fixed asset gap loan.  Currently, there is approximately $341,000 available to loan with the repayment loan pool growing by $10,000 each month.

October 13, 2014 – Another delay has been announced for the Centennial Bridge.  The bridge closure began August 3 and is expected to open by October 20, 2014. Prior and post closure, one lane restrictions off peak hour are possible. Due to the delay on the Centennial Bridge,  the Corps of Engineers is reevaluating the schedule for work on Fort Armstrong Avenue. This project will affect cross river travel. Staff worked with CitiBus and River Bend Transit and Arsenal representatives on early notification of the Government Bridge swing span openings for transit routing. Radio and internet options were made available.

August 27, 2014 – Nicole Carkner, Executive Director of the Quad City Health Initiative (QCHI), noted the organization has provided the planning and communications backbone to enable cross sector community health improvement in the Quad Cities for over 15 years.  Formed as a community collaborative in 1999, QCHI’s mission “to create a healthy community” is rooted in a model of action that acknowledges the social determinants of health and the interrelationships between health status, health behaviors, access to care, education, employment, income, safety, and the physical environment.  With the financial support of its founding sponsors, Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health-Trinity, and other partners, QCHI has built an infrastructure that currently harnesses the collective work of more than 120 volunteers from 60 organizations and reaches thousands of community members.

August 27, 2014 – Andrew Fangman, City of Muscatine Planner, overviewed the Blue Zones Community Project underway.  Blue Zones is an initiative sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield in collaboration with Healthways to increase positive, shared lifestyle characteristics that support community well-being.  Blue Zones is based on research by Dan Buettner who cataloged areas of the world where residents lived well beyond 90 years of age.  These "Blue Zones" were characterized by four lifestyle areas and nine power principles.

July 23, 2014 – American Red Cross representative, Betsy Pratt, provided a summary of the flood relief efforts occurring within the region since the first flooding event beginning June 30, 2014.

The Red Cross identifies its key disaster efforts as: Prepare. Respond. Recover.  On the preparation side, media releases and communications technology assist in providing tools when a disaster strikes.

July 23, 2014 – Commissioners received an update on the status of Quad Cities bridge restrictions for the current construction season.  A report for the Mississippi and Rock River bridges was provided.  The largest bridge construction concern is on the Centennial Bridge.

Two public open house meetings were held on June 11th, hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Centennial Bridge construction.  To address concerns on both sides of the river, meetings were held at the Rock Island County Building and the Scott County Administration Building.

July 23, 2014 – Please note that on August 27, the Bi-State Regional Commission monthly meeting will be held at the LeClaire City Hall, 325 Wisconsin Street, due to the closure of the Centennial Bridge.  The meeting will be held at the regular time of 3:30 p.m.  Please plan your cross-river travels using the Government,
I-74, I-80, and I-280 from August 3 to September 6.

June 25, 2014 – Joe Taylor of the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau (QCCVB) described the Bureau and tourism’s impact on the Quad Cities.  The QCCVB is an accredited convention and visitors bureau funded by hotel/motel taxes from each municipality, state grants from both Illinois and Iowa, and membership dues from local businesses.  Its board of directors includes seven representatives from the public sector and seven from the private sector.  In 2012, incoming tourists spent $800 million on goods and services in the Quad Cities.

June 25, 2014 – Denise Bulat, Executive Director, presented the final 2014 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Progress Report.  She pointed out the highlights of the document, paying special attention to the progress report section.

May 28, 2014 – With the repairs and closure of the Centennial Bridge, traffic congestion is anticipated on the other inner city bridges, Government Bridge and I-74.  Bridge repair includes two transverse beam replacements.  Work will be from June 23 to October 1, 2014.  Complete bridge closure is planned for up to 35 consecutive days (August 3 - September 5).  There will be intermittent one lane, off peak-hour closures at times during prior/post bridge closure.  Pedestrian and bicycle access will be available during Centennial Bridge construction.