From cutting city crime in half to balancing the budget without increasing property taxes, Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba touted his successes and those of his staff at the annual State of the City address held at the Outing Club in Davenport on Monday.
A big focus of his administration has been economic development.
Russell Construction's Chief Financial Officer, Kathy Halter, has seen the improvements for herself and credits the city, in part, for the company's expansion.
"I think they really do focus on economic development,” said Halter. “Our company has been involved with several different projects where TIF money has been available."
It was just announced that new residential space, either apartments or condos, will go up in the old Wonder Bread Bakery on River Drive.
Von Maur will expand its distribution facility and the city's taken on a massive $40 million infrastructure project to improve an outdated sewer system.
Even with all the positives, one of the biggest challenges right now is the sequestration and subsequent 20-percent pay cut for Arsenal employees.
"The bigger threat will be a potential BRAC, or Base Realignment Closure Commission, which really has the potential to close bases or cut them back substantially," said Gluba.
In response to that, the Mayor says he's in talks with the White House to try and secure a spot for Davenport to be one of 15 cities in the country to house an Advanced Manufacturing Facility.