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Gaming authority acts regionally

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By Times staff | Tuesday, December 04, 2007 |

The Scott County Regional Authority is living up to its name.

The agency holding the license for the Bettendorf Isle of Capri boat just announced $2.3 million in grants, a 27 percent increase over its last distribution in May. The increase is the

payoff of the Isle of Capri’s heavy investment in its

Bettendorf operation. The Riverboat Development Authority, which holds the Isle’s Rhythm City license, had to suspend grants this year because it ran short of money.

While the Isle has neglected Davenport, the SCRA did not. A review of the grants shows the Bettendorf-based authority is funding programs and agencies throughout the entire county. This round of grants includes $56,900 for Davenport parks, $49,000 for Davenport Catholic schools and churches, and $50,000 for Davenport’s Putnam Museum.

The SCRA provided $5,000 for the Bix Jazz Festival and $25,000 for the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, both based in Davenport.

It provided $10,000 for Ballet Quad-Cities programs in Davenport schools and $27,500 for Quad-City opera performances in Davenport.

In fact, SCRA gave more to Davenport school programs ($384,092) than to Bettendorf school programs ($230,784).

The authority also gave plenty to some Illinois-side agencies and dozens of other programs outside of Bettendorf.

Of course, it all benefits the entire Quad-City community. As it should.

Thanks to the SCRA for keeping an eye out for our entire community.