The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is heading to Washington D.C. on Thursday, April 30, 2015 to lobby for more funding for economic development projects in the area.
One of those projects is the I-74 Bridge. In February, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce CEO Tara Barney said the area still needs $400 million more in Illinois, Iowa, and federal funding for the project. Thursday, City of Moline Planning and Development Director Ray Forsythe said, the Illinois Department of Transportation is still buying up properties where the bridge and interstate will go in Moline. Barney also said Illinois' fiscal problems will not affect construction of the bridge.
The Chamber will also lobby for more support for the Rock Island Arsenal. A direct flight to Washington D.C. that is supposed to help Arsenal employees, is in jeopardy because Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has taken money for the flight out of the FY 2015 budget. He has also not proposed it for FY 16.
The Chamber will also push for a manufacturing hub in the area that is supposed to make local manufacturers more competitive. The Chamber returns from their trip Friday, May 1, 2015.