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Economy

QC Businesses Recover from the Big Flood of 2019

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LoPiez Pizza Facebook photos
LoPiez Pizza before and after the flood

Nearly six months after the Mississippi River flooded dozens of Davenport companies, most of them are back in business. The Downtown Davenport Partnership says 75 to 80 companies across the Quad Cities were impacted by the flood, with about 35 of them located in downtown Davenport. 

Credit Carolyn Martin
Kyle Carter, Executive Director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, a division of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce (file)

The partnership's Executive Director, Kyle Carter, says business is booming downtown.

And two retailers are moving to buildings on 2nd Street that were inundated last spring when a temporary flood wall failed. 

"And that's why it's so important for the city to hire an engineering firm which will say, 'Here's where we see permanent improvements making sense, and this is how much it'll cost at certain locations,' then implement. If we need money, we'll have those conversations. But first we've gotta have the plan." 

Davenport has not scheduled any more flood task force meetings. So, the next step is up to the city council. 

Several businesses are set to reopen soon, including Front Street Brewery, Great River Brewery, Ragged Records, and Trash Can Annie's. A restaurant called Roam is the only business that decided to close permanently. 

Carter says more than $400,000 was raised to distribute to companies for flood recovery.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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