Target Industries

Quad Cities First uses a targeted industry approach to identify and develop industries that are both desirable and appropriate for the region: industries that have the strongest potential to relocate or expand in the Quad Cities and offer the best prospect for supporting good, sustainable jobs which match existing local skill sets. 

 The target industries build on the incumbent economic strengths in the region-attributes that will provide competitive advantages to a particular industry (or group of related industries), and the unique factors that make the Quad Cities' economy attractive to specific industries.


In the Quad Cities Region, these industries are:

  1. FIRE (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate)
  2. Food & Packaging
  3. Instruments
  4. Metals
  5. Wind
  6. Professional/Technical
  7. Other Manufacturing

Key Advantages of the Quad Cities region:

  • Access to markets (highways, rail, port and aviation)
  • Labor (availability and cost; training program; work ethic)
  • Competitive costs of doing business and favorable business climate
  • Economic development programs (incentives, tax breaks, etc.)
  • Sites and buildings in the 4-county region (development-ready sites and available buildings)
  • Good "quality of place" (low cost of living, available housing, etc.)