Bi-State Regional Commission

November 20, 2013 – November 20, 2013 was Geographic Information System (GIS) Day, and Daya Snapp, GIS Technician at Bi-State Regional Commission gave a brief glimpse into the world (pun intended) of GIS Services at Bi-State.

The presentation highlighted examples of how Bi-State captures, manages, analyzes, and displays geographically referenced information using GIS software.  Recent projects include capturing spatial data on water and sewer paper maps to create Utilities GIS for municipalities; managing employment data that is used in part to model travel demand on the transportation road network for the Quad Cities Area Long Range Transportation Plan; analyzing crash data for the Quad Cities Intersection Crash Study; and displaying amenities on an attractive cartographic map displayed in a kiosk at Illiniwek Forest Preserve, near Hampton, IL.  These are just a few of the many ways GIS is used in planning for the region and assisting our member governments.

Finally, Ms. Snapp introduced two new GIS services.  Staff utilizes Esri® Community Analyst to create custom demographic reports and simple maps upon request.  Community Analyst contains thousands of data variables available with a few mouse clicks.  Sample reports were provided to Commissioners.  In addition, Bi-State staff will start implementing ArcGIS Online.  This will put GIS in the hands of member governments, allowing local government staff to view and use maps and data that has been created for them without expensive, technically-challenging hardware and software.

For more information about GIS services at Bi-State, please visit http://bistateonline.org/index.php/mapping-gis/gis-mapping-services or contact Lisa Miller, Data/Graphics/GIS Director at (309) 793-6302, ext. 133 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

October 23, 2013 – Bi-State staff receives many questions regarding the Interstate 74 Bridge Corridor project. Here are some of the most frequent questions:

Is the bridge actually going to be constructed?
Yes,thanks to the over $85 million dollars in federal funds received through our senators and congressional representatives since the mid 1990s to conduct required studies, prepare environmental documents, develop construction plans, and purchase rights-of-way. In addition, the Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation have placed the projects in their respective State Transportation Improvement Programs with $170 million in the Illinois 2014-2019 program, and $176 million in the Iowa 2014-2018 Program. More money will be added as the states include additional years beyond 2018/2019 in their plans.

June 26, 2013 – Cathy Rochau, Marketing Director for the Quad City International Airport, presented to the Commission changes that have been made since last year. The main, 10,000 ft. runway was completely overhauled for $34 million, and new runway lights were installed. From FFY2009 to FFY 2013, the airport received $41 million in grants. The $3.1 million addition to the building that houses the snow removal equipment is nearly complete.
 

June 26, 2013 – Denise Bulat, Executive Director, reviewed the draft FY 2014 Budget as recommended by the Finance and Personnel Committee.

She reported revenues for FY 2014 are projected to be up $168,000 (8.5%) from the current year, primarily attributable to the Rural Jobs Accelerator Grant, use of carryover transportation funds, and additional contracts.
Membership dues for local governments were not increased. It is felt that this recognizes the current fiscal constraints of member governments in the economic situation. Continuation of the merit performance review program, which the projected average is 2.5%, and a 1% annual wage adjustment were approved.

In the 47-year history of Bi-State funding, federal/state funding has gone from over 76% to 59% of the total budget. Membership dues now make up 18% of revenues and contractual revenue provides 15%.
Anyone with questions about the budget or to request a budget document, call Denise Bulat or Donna Moritz at Bi-State (309-793-6300 or 1-888-247-8284).

June 26, 2013 – On February 19, Bi-State staff sent out a letter to all member communities in regard to adopting changes to the Articles of Agreement. We would appreciate if your boards would review the changes as soon as possible and return the signed resolutions.

The following is a list of all the member communities who have returned signed resolutions to adopt the proposed changes to the Articles of Agreement.

June 26, 2013 – Mark D. Hunt, Project Manager, presented the final 2013 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Progress Report. He pointed out the highlights of the document paying special attention to the progress report section.

Several significant expansion projects were noted including the completion of Kone Towers in Moline, which brought 50 new and 250 retained jobs to the Bi-State Region. Local governments self reported the completion of 46 significant economic development projects creating over 400 jobs and retaining 800 additional jobs. Redevelopment of the region's downtowns into urban living centers was a continued theme in the CEDS. Davenport' Kirker lofts, Harrison lofts and the Jackson School project are all examples of new downtown living spaces.

Commissioners were reminded of the economic development cooperation agreement included in the CEDS and the need for a resolution to submit the strategy to the federal Economic Development Administration. Mr. Hunt closed by noting that the region's largest employer continues to be the Rock Island Arsenal and that the impacts of federal budget sequestration and potential base closures remain a constant threat.

October 23, 2013 – A Freight Commodity Efficiency Study/Plan will be conducted for the five-county Bi-State Region. A freight study was completed in 1989 for a subset of the region limited to the Quad Cities urbanized area. Bi-State leaders and transportation officials believe a new, broader study should be conducted for the entire region in-light of changing conditions in the economy and environment. The study will examine the region and its ability to export and import various commodities efficiently through the use of barges, trains, trucks, and air planes. Determining if the region has the needed infrastructure to economically match goods to the most appropriate mode of transportation is the goal of the project. Key transportation facility needs will be identified and integrated into regional plans for future implementation.

October 23, 2013 – Donna Moritz, Revolving Loan Fund Program Administrator, presented the Commission with information on the Bi-State Revolving Loan Fund Program. She stated since the inception of the program in 1986, nearly $9.4 million has been loaned to 101 businesses in Rock Island and Scott Counties. These loans have helped generate approximately $133 million in total investments, accessing city and state public financing programs, financial institutions, and company equity. In addition, 3,401 jobs have been created/retained in the two-county area. Ms. Moritz reviewed the 6 new loans made in the last year for over $485,000. Four projects were fixed asset loans and the other two were for working capital needs. Five businesses were expanding and one was a start-up endeavor. Two companies were industrial, two were service, one was retail, and one was a retail/ manufacturing combination. Currently, there is approximately $176,000 available to loan with the repayment loan pool growing by $10,000 each month.
Mark D. Hunt, Economic Development and Public Safety Manager, provided a brief summary of the Mercer/Muscatine County Revolving Loan Fund. The fund has been in existence since 2010 and made its first loan in August 2012. The initial loan of $150,000 leveraged $650,000 private investment and created 25 jobs. Currently, there is $850,000 available to loan. Bi-State staff continues to market the program and has meeting with lenders in Muscatine and Aledo on November 5 and 6.
If you know of potential projects that will create new jobs and needs public loan assistance to supplement conventional financing, please contact your local government=s economic development staff or Donna Moritz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (309) 793-6302 ext. 128, or Mark Hunt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (309) 793-6302 ext. 131.

2024 RFP BiState Region Aerial Mapping Updated

pdf 2024 Bi State Aerial Photos RFP Questions(58 KB)

Bi-State Regional Commission is soliciting proposals for a traffic safety action plan(s) for the geographic areas of the Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois and the micropolitan areas of Kewanee, Illinois and Muscatine, Iowa.  The contract will be held by Bi-State Regional Commission in cooperation with the Quad Cities MPO and cities of Kewanee and Muscatine.  Responses must be submitted by September 22, 2023 as noted in the RFQ and Scope of Services.  For questions, please contact Gena McCullough This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Nithin Kalakuntla This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

pdf QC Kewanee Muscatine Traffic Study RFQ(97 KB)

pdf QC Kewanee Muscatine Traffic Study Scope of Work(548 KB)

Responses to questions will be posted below. Questions must be received by September 15, 2023 no later than 4:30 p.m. Responses will be posted as soon as possible, and the questioner will be notified of the posting. As a result of an inquiry, a copy of firms receiving this RFQ was either e-mailed or sent by postal mail to all firms on the list and to the questioner. This list is in a pdf below.

QC Muscatine Kewanee TSAP RFQ Consultant List