Davenport's population has again surpassed 100,000, according to U.S. Census estimates, marking a major milestone for a city that has desperately fought back from a decline caused by the farm-economy crisis of the 1980s.

Topping this level brings no immediate special rewards, such as federal money. But it does offer satisfaction that Davenport is growing in the right direction and it creates another aspect that can be used to promote the city to business prospects, said DavenportOne President Tara Barney.

Now being among the country's 273 cities with populations above 100,000 puts Davenport into another tier that can help when companies develop site-selection criteria. Barney also sees this as validation for "creating a community that can create overall economic growth" rather than just adding population.

"We've managed in 10 years or so to build a nice mix of being able to be in a somewhat rural setting along the Mississippi, but still have a great urban quality of life," she said.

As the largest of the Quad-City municipalities, as generally goes Davenport, so goes the region. It's no secret that individuals and businesses look to relocate in vibrant, growing areas, not those losing jobs and people.

Success breeds success.

"So many people have worked so hard over the past few years to make Davenport come back," City Administrator Craig Malin said. "This is a communitywide effort. I can't say enough for all those people who believed in Davenport and committed to it. And now we see evidence that people value that."

Davenport has been here before, way back in 1980, when the city's population surpassed 103,000. But that turned out to be relatively short-lived as the area's farm machinery manufacturing hit a brick wall. The population plummeted back below 100,000 by 1986 on its way to a 1990 low of 95,333.

Davenport city leaders say the population turnaround has been a hard-fought battle, requiring a lot of innovative programs and incentives to attract new businesses and residents. Malin points out the city's goal has never been to grow just for the sake of growth. He considers that an unsuccessful strategy.

"It requires revitalization and growth," Malin said. "…Revitalization of great historic cities is the best hope to survive into the uncertain future."

The city's latest tool is Davenport Now, a program recently passed by the council to encourage home rehabilitation and new construction. Under Davenport Now, generally anyone who builds or renovates a home, or builds or expands a business in the already-developed sections of the city would receive a 50 percent rebate on the city portion of their property taxes for 10 years.

That program was a collaborative effort among the city, real estate agents, home builders, trade workers, school officials and others. Additional collaborative initiatives - such as targeting entire neighborhoods for re-development or rehabilitation - also are likely to be needed if Davenport wants to not only stay above 100,000 but grow well beyond.

We believe a city must grow to maintain services to residents without raising taxes. Inflationary costs alone mean that prolonged status quo in population results in a downward spiral for quality of life in a city.

Even the generally exuberant Mayor Bill Gluba was a bit guarded when he learned of the new population estimate. He said a closer examination must be made to determine this is not just a statistical blip and that this growth actually adds to the tax base.

So, while this Davenport achievement is worth celebrating, even the city's best cheerleaders know the hard work of the past two decades must continue.