Chamber task force reports today

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By Kay Luna | Wednesday, October 18, 2006 12:06 AM CDT | () comments

How should the Quad-Cities’ three chambers of commerce and the Quad-City Development Group streamline their economic development efforts?

That’s what a special task force, organized about a year ago, will tell the boards of these entities today during a meeting at the Capitol Theater in downtown Davenport, after many months of holding behind-the-scenes meetings to discuss the issue.

This will mark the first time the task force talks publicly about its recommendations for the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce, DavenportOne, the Illinois Quad-City Chamber of Commerce and the development group.

No final decisions will be made today. Instead, the boards will hold their own meetings later to discuss the suggestions and vote, said Mary Lagerblade, a member of the task force and former board chairman of the Illinois Quad-City Chamber of Commerce.

The task force was formed to “explore, on a confidential basis, opportunities for merger or consolidation of one or more functions, programs or services provided collectively by the four organizations,” according to an e-mail invitation sent to the four boards.

On June 12, a group of high-profile Quad-City business leaders who described themselves as “the principal private funders” of the four groups voiced their “strong desire” to see restructuring of the region’s economic development efforts.

In the letter, the signers said they expected to see a proposal for a new regional structure for economic development.

“It is important the task force and their respective boards understand that there will be funding consequences if the status quo is maintained,” the letter said.

WHO SIGNED THE LETTER

On June 12, a group of Quad-City business leaders signed a letter expressing the desire to see restructuring of the region’s economic development efforts. Those who signed the letter include:

Steven Bahls, Augustana College; Mike Bauer, Quad-City Bank & Trust; Gene Blanc, Midland Information Resources; Pryce Boeye, Mel Foster Company; Leo Bressanelli, Genesis Health Systems; Jack Bush, McCarthy Bush Corporation; Frank Clark, Nestlé Purina Pet Care Company; Harry S. Coin, American Bank & Trust; Jim Collins, Deere & Co.; Nancy Donovan, Isle of Capri; Bob Imler, Riverstone; Mary Junck, Lee Enterprises; Jim Kadavy, RSM McGladrey; Pat Keir, Eastern Iowa Community College District; Ken Koupal, US Bank; Bill Leaver, Trinity Regional Health System; Carrie O’Neill, National City Bank; Kent Pilcher, Estes Construction; Pete Pohlman, Lujack’s NorthPark Auto Plaza; Todd Reed, Tyson Fresh Meats; Tom Robinson, Southeast National Bank; Caroline Ruhl, Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors; Chuck Ruhl, Ruhl&Ruhl Commercial; Jim Russell, Russell Construction; John Stavnes, Wells Fargo; Cynthia Tidwell, Royal Neighbors of America; Dana Waterman, Lane & Waterman.

Kay Luna can be contacted at (563) 383-2323 or kluna@qctimes.com.