Economic Development and Tourism
Scott County participates in the following Regional Economic
Development Organizations and Programs:
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Quad
City Development Group - The County helps fund and participates
in the programs of the QCDG. The QCDG takes the lead in coordinating
and promoting the Quad Cities for industrial development by
both helping existing businesses expand and new businesses locate
here. |
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Bi-State
Regional Commission - The County helps fund and participates
in the programs of Bi-State. Bi-State serves as the Metropolitan
Planning Organization for transportation planning in the Quad
Cities area. Bi-State also administers a revolving loan fund
for assisting the expansion and retention of existing businesses,
as well as the attraction of new industries. The County appoints
one of the members of the revolving loan fund board. |
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Greater
Davenport Redevelopment Corporation - The County is
participating with the efforts of the GDRC to develop a major,
rail served, large site, industrial park in northwest Davenport
and southwest Eldridge. |
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Chambers of Commerce - The County has funded a portion
of the Davenport Chamber's image book, used to promote the area.
County representatives also participate in the long range planning
efforts for downtown Davenport and Bettendorf, through the City
Partnership and Bettendorf's visioning process.
Davenport
One | Bettendorf
Chamber of Commerce |
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Quad
Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau - The County helps
fund and participates in the programs of the QCCVB. The QCCVB
takes the lead in coordinating and promoting the Quad Cities
as a tourist destination and convention center. The County also
helps fund and manage the Mississippi Valley Welcome Center,
along with Davenport, Bettendorf and LeClaire. |
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Local Housing Assistance Program - The County administers
the LHAP grant monies for the Quad Cities Housing Cluster in
their efforts to provide more and better housing. |
Provide Financial Assistance to Economic Development Projects
and Programs
The County has provided financial assistance to various organizations
and projects that have a positive impact on regional economic
development efforts including:
- $500,000 for River Center Place project
- $200,000 commitment for GDRC Industrial Park development
- $100,000 interest free loan for Eldridge Development Corporation
spec building
- $150,000 for Kahl Education Center project
- $10,000 for Downtown Davenport Master Plan
- $6,500 for Riverfront Master Plan and Riverway projects
The County has also agreed to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds
for M.A. Ford and Nichols Aluminum expansion projects.
Encourage appropriate use of Tax Increment Financing
The County reviews and comments on all proposed Tax Increment
Financing Districts prior to their creation. The County has in
the past supported the use of TIF when it was used to encourage
the creation or retention of primary or manufacturing sector jobs
and also in cases when it was used to help defer extraordinary
site development costs in blighted areas.
Enforcement of Land Use Policies
The County Land Use Policies include goals and objectives to
protect and preserve the County's prime agricultural land and
discourage development in areas that may hinder agricultural operations.
The Land Use Policies also encourage development to locate within
the existing cities of the county where adequate urban services
can be provided.
The Land Use Policies encourage cooperation and communication
among the County and other units of local government and encourage
citizen participation.
