Why Choose the Quad Cities?
Choose the Quad Cities for your business and industry needs. Our centralized region, the only place in North American where the Mississippi River and Interstate 80 intersect, offers multi-modal transportation affording easy, cost-effective access to domestic and international markets.
Comprised of four counties with a labor shed of 428,300, the Quad Cities region is located two and one-half hours west of Chicago and within 300 miles of 37 million people. Fortune 500 corporations such John Deere & Company, 3M and Alcoa, along with the Rock Island Arsenal, a major military installation, call the Quad Cities home. These chief employers are joined by 21,000 other businesses, creating a robust and growing economy.
Engineering, finance and advanced manufacturing companies offer a turnkey supply chain for you or your client. In December 2011, Expansion Solutions magazine cited the Quad Cities as one of the top 5 regions showing exceptional progress and potential in its defense industry. Our Award of Excellence represents our successful support of business development related to defense--recruiting, retaining and assisting growing businesses.
40 colleges and universities are available within a 90-mile (144.840 km) radius, divided evenly between Illinois and Iowa. These include 12 community colleges, two public four-year universities, two public university satellite campuses and 24 private colleges, universities and institutions of higher learning. Our region's commitment to education alongside art and culture make it a preferred location for family living--assuring a growing, vibrant and well-educated workforce surrounded by Midwest beauty.
Whether you're interested in relocation or expansion, our team of economic development professionals at Quad Cities First stands ready to serve your needs in the Quad Cities.
For further information, call us at 563.322.1706.
