2020 CEDS Progress Report Available for Review
The 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Progress Report will be available for review through the next Bi-State Regional Commission meeting set for April 22. Comments should be directed to Rachel Hanson and Tara Cullison.
Spring Flood Outlook - All Eyes on the Mississippi River
February 26, 2020 – Jessica Brooks, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service, presented on the spring flood outlook at the February 26 Bi-State Regional Commission meeting. Spring rains and the rate of snowmelt will influence the severity of flooding, she explained, which are difficult to forecast months in advance with high degrees of certainty. However, four other factors that can be measured at present suggest long-duration flooding is possible on the Mississippi this spring.
Rock Island Arsenal 2019 Update
January 22, 2020 – Colonel Stephen Marr, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison – Rock Island Arsenal, provided a presentation to the Commission. He manages services and facilities for the 946 acres Arsenal Island which has a significant global and strategic reach. The Garrison has three overall priorities:
- Infrastructure – Addressing the urgent infrastructure challenges brought on by a decade of underinvestment
- Protection – Focusing on installation protection exercises and full scale exercises
- Soldier/Civilian/Family Programs – Programs and services designated to improve the readiness and resilience of soldiers, civilians, and families, in order to allow their people to focus on their missions
I-74 Corridor Update
December 18, 2019 – George Ryan, P.E. I-74 Corridor Manager, provided an overview on the status of the I-74 Bridge Corridor Project. He reviewed the progress of the various contractors on all projects that had been let for bid and information regarding future lettings.
Introduction to iFiber, Northwest Illinois' Not-for-Profit Fiber Optic Network
November 20, 2019 – Herb Kuryliw, Director of Sales & Business Development for iFiber and Dan Payette Executive Director of Blackhawk Hills Regional Council presented on the potential for Bi-State Regional Commission to partner with Blackhawk Hills and North Central Illinois Council of Governments in an Economic Development Agency (EDA) application to extend fiber optics into to the their respective region. They noted that iFiber would write the application and provide the required match.
Long Range Transportation Planning in the Bi-State Region
October 23, 2019 – Bi-State Regional Commission staff facilitate long range transportation planning as directed by the States of Iowa and Illinois, and by the federal government requirements on 5-year cycles. Planning for 20-30 years into the future is the typical time horizon for these plans.
Planning Areas. Long range transportation plans (LRTPs) are developed for the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, Iowa/Illinois and the area known as Region 9, including rural Scott County and the entire geographic area of Muscatine County, Iowa. These are funded through federal transportation funds passed through the respective states.
Census 2020 and Complete Count Committees
April 24, 2019 – Rachel Bruce, Bi-State Regional Commission Planner, reported that Census Day is April 1, 2020, but outreach efforts began as early as 2018 with the coordination of programs like the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) and Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP). These programs gave local jurisdictions the opportunity to review and propose modifications to boundaries for census tracts, block groups, and census designated places (CDPs) to ensure that the Census Bureau accurately represents the geography of the region. This summer, the Census Bureau will begin address canvassing to verify structures and addresses for the questionnaire mailing. Canvassing is expected to last until August, and the Census Bureau has already begun hiring workers for canvassing activities and in preparation for Census Day.