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New year, new goals for the Quad City Chamber of Commerce

2014 brought more than 400 jobs and millions of dollars worth of investments to the Quad Cities. From July 2014 to December 31, 2014, officials with the Quad Ci...

2014 brought more than 400 jobs and millions of dollars worth of investments to the Quad Cities.

From July 2014 to December 31, 2014, officials with the Quad City Chamber of Commerce said they conducted 65 ribbon cuttings, accounting for more than 425 Quad City jobs, and $96 million in investments. Nineteen new businesses opened in the Quad Cities and 21 existing businesses expanded.

"The Quad Cities region achieved a major milestone this year, reaching the top quartile of communities in the U.S. based on economic strength rankings," said Tara Barney, President & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber.

There were several projects and phases of projects that were completed in 2014.

Phase two of the three phase Western Illinois Quad Cities project was completed in September. The $42-million expansion of the Riverfront Campus included three new buildings that are interconnected by sky walks with a quad in the middle. The buildings house classrooms, a library and student services offices in anticipation of growing enrollment.

"It's going to help our student body grow and increase," Western Illinois University's president Jack Thomas told News 8 in September.

A few miles down the road, the SouthPark Mall unveiled a new look, featuring a new layout and modern decor. In lieu of the mall's revitalization, Dick's Sporting Goods is expected to open at the SouthPark Mall in the summer of 2015.

"Our leasing team is continuing to work with retailers to come back and revisit SouthPark Mall," said Kathy Jurgens, senior property manager.

The beginning phases of the I-74 bridge construction, an $88 million project that's been in talks for several years, began in 2014. The construction from bluff to bluff is expected to begin no later than 2017.

Looking ahead, officials are optimistic positive results will continue into 2015.

Quad Citians continue to wait for a date for when direct flights from the Quad-City Airport will be available to Washington D.C.. Governor Pat Quinn signed off on the approval of the plan in 2014.

The new year will also provide manufacturers opportunities to work with the Chamber to plan for future growth. The Quad Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub is expected to launch in 2015, providing a way for the area's manufacturers to connect and help one another become more competitive.  No date has been released on when the hub will launch.

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