"2016 was a great year for the Quad Cities." That's what the President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce says about the group's success over the last twelve months.
Tara Barney says member businesses added 1,400 jobs and $205 million in new investment. Another highlight is the retention of food production jobs in Davenport. She says Kraft-Heinz decided to build its new plant here because of the Quad Cities excellent workforce. And it was the result of many years of work by many people and organizations.
But 2016 had challenges, too, such as United Airlines cancelation of flights to Washington, D.C. And Barney says a continuing challenge will be the global slowdown in agriculture. The chamber's list of successes also includes:
- Exelon's decision not to close the Cordova nuclear plant after lobbying for a new energy bill,
- Progress on bringing passenger rail back to the Quad Cities,
- The Young Professionals Network showcased "Quad Citizen swagger" in a new video (below),
- And initiating the Q2030 Regional Action Plan.