2008 Quad Cities Community Vitality SnapshotScott County, Iowa | Rock Island County, Illinois

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Table of Contents

Page 2 Demographics & Introduction

Page 4 Economy & Employment

Page 6 Health & Society

Page 8 Environment & Resources

Page 10 Education & Learning

Page 12 Arts, Culture & Recreation

Page 14 Neighborhoods, Housing & Safety

Page 16 Belonging & Leadership

Page 18 Our Community’s Legacy of Planning

Demographics

Rock Island Quad Citiesa County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Total Population1

2005 300,889 143,140 157,749 12,440,351 2,862,541 288,378,1372006 310,166 147,545 162,621 12,831,970 2,982,085 299,398,485% Change 3.083% 3.077% 3.088% 3.148% 4.176% 3.821%

Racial and Ethnic Minority Population1

2005 51,524 29,000 22,524 4,275,294 242,593 95,762,5762006 55,233 31,199 24,034 4,474,406 267,671 101,221,494% Change 7.199% 7.583% 6.704% 4.657% 10.337% 5.700%

Foreign Born Residents1

2005 12,192 7,286 4,906 1,695,289 103,143 35,689,8422006 13,697 7,160 6,537 1,773,600 112,299 37,547,789% Change 12.344% – 1.729% 33.245% 4.619% 8.877% 5.206%

Naturalized Citizens1

2005 5,210 2,979 2,231 736,161 33,443 14,967,8282006 5,550 3,399 2,151 780,039 41,022 15,767,731% Change 6.526% 14.099% – 3.586% 5.960% 22.662% 5.344%

Single Parent Households (with Own Children Under 18)1

2005 11,229 5,517 5,712 435,658 99,880 10,947,3742006 12,892 6,658 6,234 441,996 100,686 10,816,345% Change 14.810% 20.682% 9.139% 1.455% 0.807% – 1.197%

Foreign Born Residents, Naturalized Citizens, and Single Parent Households are new indicators.

Know Thyself. It is one of the first tenets of successful leaders who

understand the value of information and how important good information is for

making good decisions. Successful organizations take frequent looks at their

strengths and weaknesses internally and externally in order to build effective

plans for future growth. We believe the same tenets apply for our community

as a whole. Healthy, vital communities understand the value of information and

the importance of using that information to make strategic decisions that can

improve the quality of life. And, sharing information is the first step for engaging

individuals and organizations in collaborative, creative endeavors that can

benefit all sectors of our community.

Our belief in the value of information and the value of sharing information

led to the publication last year of the first Community Vitality Snapshot. This

year, we revisit the same seven areas of our community: Economy & Employment,

Health & Society, Environment & Resources, Education & Learning, Arts, Culture

& Recreation, Neighborhoods, Housing & Safety and Belonging & Leadership.

Thanks to the substantial input we received from the community, we’ve made

significant improvements to this year’s Snapshot. First, we clearly heard and

understood the need for information to be presented with more context. Whenever

possible, we have strived to present indicators with data comparisons across

geographies and/or time. We also have substantially increased our explanatory

comments and footnotes so that readers have a better understanding of what

an indicator encompasses. Second, we re-evaluated the set of indicators published

last year and have redefined, clarified or in some cases replaced indicators

entirely. Those indicators new to this year’s report are clearly identified. We expect

this revision of the indicator set to be an on-going annual process as we work

to develop a report that has meaning and value for our community.

We realize that our community’s journey to develop a common language of

indicators has just begun. We continue to ask for your help in improving this

process and report. Two years of data are not enough for us to draw conclusions

about the direction of many important trends. And, certainly we know that many

difficult community challenges highlighted by the indicators will only be solved

over decades, not months.

But, we have begun to Know Ourselves better. We have developed a stronger

sense of how issues in our community cross sectors. We have developed more

effective dialogues and spurred important conversations. We have connected new

people and new resources. And, we know that our journey ultimately leads to a

healthier and more vibrant Quad Cities. Please join us.

Cost of Living is a new indicator.

Rock Island Quad Citiesa County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Median Age1

2005 n/a 39.2 37.7 35.6 38.6 36.42006 n/a 38.3 37.4 35.7 37.8 36.4% Change – 2.296% – 0.796% 0.281% – 2.073% 0.000%

Median Household Income1

2005 n/a 41,365 49,282 50,260 43,609 46,2422006 n/a 43,635 46,127 52,006 44,491 48,451% Change 5.488% – 6.402% 3.474% 2.023% 4.777%

% of Families In Poverty1

2005 n/a 10.0% 8.9% 9.2% 7.5% 10.2%2006 n/a 10.6% 8.9% 9.1% 7.3% 9.8%% Change 6.000% 0.000% – 1.087% – 2.667% – 3.922%

Notes: a.) Quad Cities are defined as Scott and Rock Island counties.

Source: 1.) U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2005. U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2006.

ACCRA Cost of Living Indexb, 2 Quad City Metro Area Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA Peoria, IL Ames, IA National Average

1st Quarter 2007 96.2 111.7 96.9 95.7 96.4 100.0

Quad City Metro Area Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA Peoria, IL Ames, IA National Average

1st Quarter 2008 93.7 111.5 98.3 97.7 93.7 100.0

Note: b.) The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) produces the ACCRA Cost of Living Index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences among urban areas. The Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all participating urban areas equals 100, and each participant’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all urban areas. The index does not show whether an area’s cost of living is increasing over time, rather, it shows the cost of living in relation-ship to other areas for the quarter in which it was conducted. The question the ACCRA Cost of Living Index is designed to answer is: How do urban areas compare in the cost of maintaining a standard-of-living appropriate for moderately affluent professional and managerial households?

Source: 2.) The Council for Community and Economic Research

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Economy & Employment

The vitality of our community today and in the future depends on a strong economy with rewarding jobs that pay enough to sustain families. Those who have not found their place in our economy depend on our caring community to meet basic needs.

Notes:a.) There are 2 more food pantries (26) reporting in 2007 than in 2006 (24). The number of meal sites remained the same. b.) Slight decreases in 2007 num-bers are attributed to incomplete data.

Sources: 1.) Iowa Workforce Development, Illinois Department of Employment Security. 2.) Churches United, QCA. 3.) U.S. Census Bureau, Manufacturing and Construction Division, Building Permits Branch. 4.) Illinois and Iowa Department of Revenue.

Annual Average Labor Force: Employed or unemployed workers in the workforce age 16 or older.1

Quad Cities Area Rock Island County Scott County

2006 168,530 79,680 88,8502007 169,040 80,550 88,490% Change 0.303% 1.092% – 0.405%

Housing Growth: New construction housing permits.3 Single Family Homes Quad Cities Area Rock Island County Scott County

2006 737 199 5382007 592 185 407% Change – 19.674% – 7.035% – 24.349%

Multi-Family Units Quad Cities Area Rock Island County Scott County

2006 290 134 1562007 500 194 306% Change 72.414% 44.776% 96.154%

Retail Sales: Total sales stated in thousands.4

Quad Cities Area Rock Island County Scott County

2006 $3,992,777 $1,709,477 $2,283,300 2007 $4,060,988 $1,743,368 $2,317,620 % Change 1.708% 1.983% 1.503%

Annual Average Unemployment Rate: Individuals actively seeking but found no employment during week of reference.1

Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

2006 4.5% 3.8% 4.6% 3.8% 4.6%2007 4.7% 3.8% 5.0% 3.8% 4.6%

Food Pantry and Meal Site Use: The number of visits to food pantries and number of individuals served meals in one year at selected organization.2, a

Food Pantry Individuals Assisted Individuals Served Visits at Food Pantries Meals at Meal Sites

2006 26,809 86,660 30,8562007 26,415 88,354 29,966% Changeb – 1.470% 1.955% – 2.884%

Retail Sales is a new indicator.

Housing Growth is a new indicator.

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Health & Society

In a vital community, everyone is able to work and play. When illness or disability interferes, we lose a part of our community’s energy. Personal choice plays a part in personal health, and our collective choices have great impact on our community’s health.

Notes: a.) All data refers to 2007 with the exception of Rock Island County data. The most recent data available for RI County is 2004-2006. b.) These three indicators are using a different data source than last year’s snapshot that will allow annual trending for future years. Back data was not reprinted since the source year lags. c.) Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both men and women.

Sources: 1.) Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Round 3. 2.) Iowa Department of Public Health, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. 3.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Prevalence Data. 4.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Prevalence Data.

Lacking Health Insurance: Percentage of people 18-64 who do not have any health insurance.a, b, c

Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Year 1 12%1 10.8%2 17.5%3 10.9%2 16.6%4

Smoking Prevalence: Percentage of Quad City Area adults who currently smoke.a, b

Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Year 1 18.3%1 20.2%2 20.1%3 19.8%2 19.8%4

Overweight/Obesity Prevalence: Percentage of Quad City Area adults who are overweight/obese.a, b, c

Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Year 1 Overweight (BMI > 25) 62.1%1 64.7%2 63%3 64.7%2 63%4

Obese (BMI > 30) 24.5%1 28%2 25.6%3 27.7%2 26.3%4

Births to Teen Mothers: Live births to mothers under 20 years old calculated as an average percentage of total live births over a three year period.d

Quad City Area Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Year 1 11.89%e 13.23%5 10.74%6 9.94%5 8.77%6 10.4%7

Year 2 12.15%e 13.34%5 11.15%6 9.85%5 8.58%6 10.23%7

Average Incidence Rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Gonorrhea cases per 100,000 population and Chlamydia cases per 100,000 population calculated as an average over three years.f, g

Quad City Area Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

Year 1 Gonorrhea Cases 186.8h 179.888 193.199 164.218 49.779 116.7310

Year 2 Gonorrhea Cases 171.95h 153.648 188.589 159.18 61.689 115.7710

% Change – 7.95% – 14.59% – 2.39% – 3.11% 23.93% – 0.82%

Year 1 Chlamydia Cases 461.57h 443.038 478.69 384.048 235.449 303.0110

Year 2 Chlamydia Cases 496.28h 469.418 520.689 416.168 273.889 330.6910

% Change 7.52% 5.95% 8.79% 8.36% 16.33% 9.14%

Notes: d.) Year 1 is 2002-2004 data. Year 2 is 2004-2006 data with the exception of the US total which is 2003-2005. e.) Calculated as a percent of total Scott County Teen Births and Total Rock Island County Teen Births.

Sources: 5.) Health Statistics Online, Illinois Department of Public Health.6.) Center for Health Statistics, Iowa Department of Public Health. 7.) National Center for Health Statistics, “Health, United States, 2007”.

Notes: f.) STD rates are calculated based on 2007 Census Population Estimates. g.) Year 1 data is 2003-2005 except US data which is 2002-2004. Year 2 data is 2005-2007 except for US which is 2004-2006. The gap in data exists in the interest of showing the most recent data. h.) Calculated – Average rate of Rock Island County and Scott County cases. Sources: 8.) Health Statistics Online, Illinois Department of Public Health. 9.) STD Prevention Program, Iowa Department of Public Health. 10.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, 2006 STD Surveillance Report.

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Environment and Resources

A vital community shares a concern for the environment. Grassroots efforts to protect the environment result in positive change. Environmental conditions merit awareness due to their impact on health.

Note: a.) This number does not include over 1,000 volunteers with the Boy Scouts who participated in a regional clean-up of the Quad Cities and neighboring communities that included Xstream Cleanup.

Source: 1.) Living Lands and Waters: Xstream Cleanup.

Source: 8.) Rock Island County Waste Management Agency and Waste Commission of Scott County.

Note: b.) The large difference between the numbers in Scott and Rock Island counties is due to the variation in funding available for energy conservation programs. However, as of June 1, 2008, resi-dents of Rock Island County now have access to the same on-site audits that were previously only available on the Iowa side.

Source: 2.) MidAmerican Energy Company.

Note: c.) It is difficult to compare these numbers across states because of different methodologies used for reporting lead poisoning levels. Comparing by region year to year, there has been a decline in the percent of children with lead poisoning in all areas. d.) IADPH: children born in 2000, tested as of 12/31/2006. e.) IADPH: children born in 2001, tested as of 12/31/2007. f.) Rock Island County and Illinois numbers are all children ages 6 and younger that were tested. Sources: 3.) Illinois Lead Program Surveillance Report, 2007, Illinois Department of Public Health. 4.) Illinois Department of Public Health, provisional numbers. 5.) Bureau of Lead Poisoning Prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health. 6.) National Health & Nutritional Survey, 2002-2004 data via Illinois Department of Public Health.

Note: g.) Think of the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy-at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher.

Source: 7.) Ambient air monitoring data from Iowa Department of Natural Resources for ozone and/or fine particulate matter.

Annual Volunteer Clean-up: Pounds of trash collected and number of volunteers at annual Xstream Cleanup of Mississippi River and tributaries in Scott and Rock Island counties.1

Pounds of Trash Collected Number of Volunteers

2007 49,000 1,5002008 75,180 1,327a

Recycled Materials: Number of tons of residential mixed waste recycled.8

Scott and Rock Island Counties

2007 14,8202008 14,744

Energy Conservation: Onsite residential energy audits for Scott County and online in-home audits for Rock Island County.b, 2

Scott County Rock Island County

2006 1,118 116 2007 912 355

Air Quality Index: Number of days the index registered at 101 or above.g, 7

Scott and Rock Island Counties

2007 12008 1

Lead Poisoning in Children: Percent of children tested who had blood lead levels >= 10 mcg/dL.c, 1

Rock Island County Illinois U.S. Scott County Iowa

2006 4.19%f, 3 2.3%f, 3 1.6%3 6.1%d, 5 6.6%d, 5

2007 3.0%f, 4 1.8%f, 4 1.2%6 5.1%e, 5 6.1%e, 5

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Growing a vital local economy depends on educating our children to assume important jobs in our community. For our children, staying in school and earning a high school diploma is the key to apprenticeships, college, or technical training that lead to higher paying jobs and improved quality of life.

Notes: a.) In grappling with the data in this section, we have learned that education indicators are quite complex. Given our goal to provide community leaders with valid indicators of progress on this topic, we thought that a brief explanation of how high school graduation rates are calculated would be helpful. As our community works towards improving graduation rates, it has become clear that we will want to refine how we measure progress. National graduation statistics consistently report that approximately one out of four youth do not graduate “from high school in four years with their peers”. On the other hand, only about 3% are officially recorded as ‘drop outs’ each year. Consider the following example: Out of 100 students who start ninth grade, 75 graduate in four years with their peers. Another 3 students drop out each year (3 students x 4 years =12 students who drop out of their class). In this example, the Graduation Rate and Drop Out indicators will have accounted for 87 of the 100 students.

What happened to the other 13 students? Some students move to another school district, graduate, but are counted in their original school district as non-graduators because they do not graduate with the peers with which they started 9th grade — even though they may still graduate somewhere else. Other students take longer than four years, but still graduate. Some students temporarily stop going to school, but then return and graduate. Some stu-dents transfer to alternative high schools because regular high schools simply don’t work for them. Some students drop out, but earn a GED certificate. Finally, some students continue to show up at school because it is a safe place and something to do, but never earn enough credits to graduate. In all of these cases, however, specific data about these students are not captured by the current indicators.

So, how will we know when improvements are achieved? When the graduation rate increases or decreases, which of the factors above have actually changed? Understanding this challenge suggests that, as a community, we will want to look at other ways to measure our progress in helping youth make successful transitions into adulthood.

Education & Learning

Enrollment at Local Higher Learning Institutions: Enrollment at higher learning facilities in the Quad Cities.3

These colleges have a higher ratio of full-time students These colleges have a higher ratio of part-time students

Augustana College St. Ambrose University Western Illinois University Palmer College of Chiropractic Quad City Graduate Studies Center Blackhawk College Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

Year 1 2006-7 2,500 3,850 1,331 1,502 3,725 11,938 11,223

Year 2 2007-8 2,505 3,870 1,332 1,480 3,231 12,326 11,114

Elementary Academics: Percent of 4th Graders achieving reading proficiency.2

Rock Island/Milan, IL Moline/Coal Valley, IL East Moline, IL Bettendorf, IA Davenport, IA North Scott, IA Pleasant Valley, IA Illinois Iowa

Year 1 2005-6 61.00% 77.00% 69.00% 81.80% 73.00% 79.00% 88.00% 72.90% 78.40%Year 2 2006-7 62.90% 77.60% 67.40% 81.64% 74.20% 87.26% 84.55% 73.70% 79.00%

High School Achievement: Graduation rates and drop-out rates per school district.2, a

Rock Island/Milan, IL Moline/Coal Valley, IL United Township, IL Bettendorf, IA Davenport, IA North Scott, IA Pleasant Valley, IA Illinois Iowa

Year 1 2005-6 Graduation Rate 85.50% 85.70% 80.70% 92.70% 72.90% 92.24% 94.80% 87.80% 90.80%

Year 2 2006-7 Graduation Rate 88.40% 84.10% 81.00% 92.10% 77.50% 94.70% 93.30% 85.90% 90.50%Dropout Rate 1.50% 2.40% 4.80% 2.51% 5.90% 1.78% 1.60% 3.50% 2.30%

Children Registered for Free and Reduced Lunch: Percentage of children registered for Federal Lunch Program.1

East Moline, IL United Township, IL Rock Island/Milan, IL Moline/Coal Valley, IL (elementary only) (high school only) Bettendorf, IA Davenport, IA North Scott, IA Pleasant Valley, IA Illinois Iowa U.S.

Year 1 2006-07 57.00% 34.40% 61.00% 43.00% 20.60% 51.10% 19.60% 8.80% 40.00% 32.20% 59.30%Year 2 2007-08 58.71% 40.89% 56.93% 41.62% 20.70% 50.50% 20.70% 10.00% 40.50% 33.40% 59.30%

Attendance at School: Daily rate of attendance.2

East Moline, IL United Township, IL Rock Island/Milan, IL Moline/Coal Valley, IL (elementary only) (high school only) Bettendorf, IA Davenport, IA North Scott, IA Pleasant Valley, IA Illinois Iowa

Year 1 2005-6 92.90% 94.80% 95.30% 93.10% 96.00% 93.40% 96.04% 96.80% 94.00% 95.80%Year 2 2006-7 93.20% 94.90% 95.20% 92.80% 95.76% 93.77% 96.10% 96.44% 93.70% 95.12%

Dropout Rate is a new indicator.

Sources: 1.) Respective school districts. 2.) Illinois State Board of Education Report Cards 2006-2007 School Year, Iowa Department of Education. 3.) Respective institutions.

Notes: a.) See Notes sidebar on page 10.

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Arts, Culture & Recreation

Arts, culture and recreational activities are an essential ingredient for a vital community. A wide variety of offerings demonstrate a community’s commitment to improve their quality of life.

Library Usage is a new indicator.

Note: b.) Several venues completed capital campaigns in FY 05/06.

Source: 4.) Respective institutions’ IRS Form 990

Source: 1.) Respective venues

Note: a.) This increase represents 160 additional acres

Source: 3.) Bi-State Regional Commission

Venue Attendance: Estimated number of individuals who visited selected venues: Adler Theatre, Family Museum, Figge Art Museum, i wireless Center, Niabi Zoo, Putnam Museum, Quad City Botanical Center, River Music Experience.1

Quad Cities Area

2006 1,119,7242007 1,362,180% Change 17.8%

Recreation Availability: Number of acres per 1,000 population3

Quad Cities Area

Year 1 2007 25.3 Year 2 2008 25.9% Change 2.3%a

Philanthropy: Contributions, gifts, grants, direct/ indirect public and government support for selected venues: Family Museum, Figge Art Museum, Niabi Zoo, Putnam Museum, Quad City Botanical Center and River Music Experience.4 Quad Cities Area

Year 1 Fiscal Year Ending 2006b $6,050,243 Year 2 Fiscal Year Ending 2007 $4,098,370% Change – 47.6%b

Source: 2.) Respective libraries

Library Usage: Percentage of city/county population holding library cards at selected libraries.2

Moline Rock Island Bettendorf Scott County Davenport Public Library Public Library Public Library Library Public Library

2007 63.2% 39.6% 68.6% 52.0% 46.8%

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Neighborhoods, Housing & Safety

Good housing for sale or rent and neighbors who work together are hallmarks of a vital community. Strong local neighborhoods with families who care for themselves and others are essential to a safe community.

Note: a.) This indicator does not infer that overall crime has declined, just the crime levels in these specific categories

Public Transit Ridership is a new indicator.

Sources: 1.) Ruhl &Ruhl Realtors. 2.) Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2005. 3.) Individual City Police Departments. 4.) Cities of Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline, Moline, Rock Island. 5.) American Red Cross. 6.) Child Abuse Council in Rock Island & Scott Counties. 7.) Davenport Citibus, Bettendorf Transit, Metrolink

Cost of Housing: Average cost of single family home.1

Illinois Quad Cities Iowa Quad Cities

2006 $113,900 $159,500 2007 $115,600 $164,800 % Change 1.49% 3.32%

Cost of Housing: Median rental cost per month.2

Rock Island County Scott County Illinois Iowa U.S.

2005 $540 $599 $734 $559 $728 2006 $557 $634 $761 $584 $763 % Change 3.15% 5.84% 3.68% 4.47% 4.81%

Public Transit Ridership: Trips taken on Quad Cities public transit.7

2006 3,505,3942007 3,673,600% Change 4.80%

Neighborhood Involvement: Number of neighborhood groups and partnerships.4

2006 285 2007 289 % Change 1.40%

Safety Preparedness: Number of people who have completed Red Cross trainings in CPR, First Aid, AED, and Preparedness.5

Adults Youth

2006-7 15,972 4,7702007-8 18,889 5,420% Change 18.26% 13.63%

Crime: Includes the numbers of murder/manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and motor vehicle theft in Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Davenport, and Bettendorf.a, 3

2006 4,905 2007 4,506 % Change – 8.13%

Safety of Children: Number of confirmed child abuse cases in the Quad Cities Area.6

2006 1,1452007 1,270% Change 10.92%

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Belonging & Leadership

A vital community has engaged citizens who volunteer and vote because they believe they can make a difference. Local leaders who can meet the challenge to keep our agencies, institutions and governments relevant and responsive are critical to creating community change.

Leadership Inclusiveness is a new indicator.

Senior Involvement: Volunteer hours at select organization.6

Volunteer Hours Number of Volunteers

2006 129,612 9112007 145,000 1,000% change 10.6% 8.9%

Voting: Current number of registered voters and percentage that voted in listed elections. Registered Voters Percentage That Voted Quad Cities Area Rock Island County Scott County Rock Island County Scott County

2006 232,597 117,626 114,971 40.07%1 49.13%1

2007 192,630 95,314 97,316 8.77%2 24.61%3

2008 240,142 123,569 116,573 29.06%4 2.58%5

Sources: Rock Island County Clerk and Scott County Auditor1.) General Election November 20062.) Consolidated General Election 20073.) Municipal Election November 20074.) Special General Election 20085.) General Primary Election June 2008 - uncontested primary

Source: 6.) Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Leadership Inclusiveness: Numbers and percentages of currently filled Board seats of selected nonprofits that are held by women and ethnic/racial minorities.a, 7 Total Seats Currently Filled Female Board Members Minority Board Membersb

239 89 / 37.24% 28 / 11.72%

Notes:a.) Boards included: Bethany for Children and Families, Community Health Care, Family Resources, Figge Art Museum, Handicapped Development Center, Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Quad City Symphony, Scott County Family YMCA, St. Ambrose University, United Way of the Quad Cities Area. b.) Ethnic/Racial minorities as defined by reporting organizations.

Source: 7.) Respective institutions

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The Quad Cities’ journey to Know Thyself began in the 1980s, after it was forced to cope with the loss of 20,000 manufacturing and farm implement jobs. The local economy was diminishing and the spirits of its citizens were lessening. In response to these issues, an alliance of media executives joined hands with local leaders to create a community-wide plan to address the matters facing the greater Quad Cities. Thus began the process of strategic planning for our community and the establishment of the Quad Cities Vision for the Future project.

Vision for the Future Steering Committee members focused their efforts on the critical areas of jobs, fragmentation, education, labor/management and leadership. Their goal was to produce a ‘blueprint for the building work ahead’ and some of its activities sought to:

• rejuvenate the downtowns and develop the riverfronts;

• identify, broaden, and promote the Quad Cities’ amenity base;

• develop major transportation systems;

• create a Quad Cities Metropolitan Authority;

• promote unity among target groups of the private sector;

• increase cooperation among school systems, business and the public in defining and meeting educational priorities;

• improve the quality of labor-management relations to “state-of-the-art,” enhancing present jobs and encouraging new ones;

• implement a needs assessment, increase training in leadership skills, set up a mentoring program and coordinate leadership programs for youth.

Our Community’s Legacy of Planning

“ Healthier communities have found that dialogue — engaging with fellow residents in order to build a shared understanding of what the community is, what it should become and how it will get there — is how the process of improving health and quality of life begins.”

— A Message to America from America’s Communities publication

Many of the Vision for the Future recommendations were carried out by 1992, and its strategic plan developed alliances among cities and school systems, improved workforce development and fostered community partnerships. The Quad Cities has continued to work collaboratively to create a better community, and the Community Vitality Snapshot is just one of many efforts currently taking place.

The Community Vitality Snapshot plays an important role in help-ing us to know ourselves today. The Snapshot has helped identify some of our strengths and weaknesses in the areas of economy and employment, health and society, environment and resources, edu-cation and learning, arts, culture and recreation, neighborhoods, housing and safety, and belonging and leadership. This knowledge will help shape the future direction of our community.

Our efforts in planning have been inspired by a national network of partnerships and organizations, including The Coalition for Health-ier Cities and Communities. The organization and its counterparts are working towards creating healthier people in healthier commu-nities. We seek to do the same and believe that you, too, can play a role in creating a better, brighter Quad Cities by using the 2008 Community Vitality Snapshot in the following ways:

1. Strategic Planning

2. Program Planning

3. Grant Applications and Evaluations

4. Collaborative Projects

5. Employee Recruitment

6. Staff Education

7. Project Evaluation

8. Charitable Giving Decisions

9. Community/Best Practices Presentations

10. Advocacy

The Quad Cities Community Vitality Task Force committee wishes to express our sincere thanks to the Bi-State Regional Commission whose knowledge and support has been a major contribution to this report.

Snapshot Design: Jeff VanEchaute, pi design, inc.

Central Park Medical Pavilion, Ste. 3301227 East Rusholme StreetDavenport, IA 52803Phone: 563-421-2815www.qchealthinitiative.org

852 Middle Road, Ste. 100Bettendorf, IA 52722Phone: 563-326-2840www.cfgrb.org

817 11th AvenueMoline, IL 61265Phone:309-736-3800www.molinefoundation.org

3247 East 35th Street CourtDavenport, IA 52807Phone: 563-355-4310www.unitedwayqc.org

To view the 2007 Quad Cities Community Vitality Scan, See sponsors’ web sites.