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Tri-State Development Task ForcesAgriculture
2007 Task Force Reports Transportation Click to download: TDS Highway Priorities to Google Earth
2009 Highway Maps & Progress
A resolution of support for approval of a capital bill
WHEREAS, the Tri-State Development Summit speaks with one voice on behalf of 14 counties in West-Central Illinois, 13 counties in Northeast Missouri and 8 counties in Southeast Iowa;
WHEREAS, the Tri-State Summit has identified the Ill. 336, U.S. 34 and U.S.67 corridors as top transportation infrastructure priorities;
WHEREAS, completing these corridors will greatly enhance economic growth and quality of life throughout the Summit region and all of Illinois;
WHEREAS, capital needs have expanded greatly and costs have escalated sharply during the last five years, when Illinois has not had a capital improvement plan in place, and will continue to rise;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tri-State Development Summit and the residents of the Summit region call on the Governor and General Assembly to approve a major capital plan this year and that this plan includes:
1) Funding to complete the Macomb bypass, connecting Ill. 336 west of Macomb with U.S.67 north of Macomb and completing what could be considered an Illinois route for the Chicago-Kansas City Expressway. The Ill. 336 corridor from Quincy to Macomb will be complete in 2008, but the Chicago-Kansas-City Expressway will not be complete until the bypass at Macomb is built. The bypass connects Ill. 336 west of Macomb with U.S.67 north of Macomb and with the interstate system of Northern and Northeast Illinois. Full funding to build the bypass is essential.
2) Specified funding for continuing work to extend Ill. 336 as a four-lane corridor from Macomb east to Peoria. This will complete the four-lane Ill. 336 corridor from Quincy to Peoria and connect the transportation hubs at those three communities. Phase One is nearing completion and a preliminary preferred alignment has been chosen. A new capital bill must provide funds to move this project forward.
3) Funds to begin rebuilding U.S. 34 as a four-lane highway from east of Gulfport to Monmouth. The 22 miles connecting these two communities is the last unfunded portion of the 210-mile Trans-Iowa/Illinois Freight Corridor that connects the transportation hubs of Des Moines and Peoria. This highly traveled, dangerous two-lane road must be upgraded.
4) Funds to continue work on completing the U.S. 67 corridor from Rock Island to Alton. This corridor will provide a vital north-south route through Western Illinois, connecting all parts of the region with transportation gateways to Iowa, Missouri and Central Illinois. The corridor is complete only from Rock Island south to Macomb, and funding must be provided to continue this vital project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be directed to the governor, leaders of the General Assembly and Senators and Representatives from West-Central Illinois.
Presented: November 6, 2007.
By: Thomas A. Oakley
For: The Tri State Development Summit
Workforce Development
TriStateOnLine Link: www.TriStateOnline.org
Entrepreneurship
Tri-State Development Summit Entrepreneurship Web-site: www.tristateentrepreneur.com
(January 5, 2009) The Tri-State Development Summit Entrepreneurship Task Force will host “Survival Techniques During an Economic Downturn” a networking event for entrepreneurs. This networking opportunity for Entrepreneurs from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri will offer a forum for entrepreneurs to discuss and share experiences through a slowing economy.
“Survival Techniques During an Economic Downturn” will be held on February 18, 2009 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at Tiramisu Restaurant in Quincy, IL (137 N. 3rd Street). Registration is required at $10 per person and includes lunch. For registration information, contact Shelby Crow at University of Illinois Extension, 217-223-8380 or sschoon@illinois.edu. Space is limited. Registration deadline is February 11th.
The session will be moderated and questions will be answered by facilitators Melissa Griswold, PhD and Eric Thomas. Melissa C. Griswold, Ph.D. is the Dean for the School of Business at Quincy University and a small business owner. Eric Thomas, president of ETC ComputerLand, a technology solutions provider in Quincy, Illinois and Kirksville, Missouri.
Facilitator Melissa Griswold stated that “During an economic downturn, it is increasingly important that small business owners band together as they ride out difficult times. We plan to bring business owners together to discuss strategies for increasing efficiencies, decreasing costs, and riding out this economic storm.”
Discussion will include the following items:
How can entrepreneurs collaborate to improve efficiency and share resources?
What opportunities are available during an economic downturn?
What techniques are you and others using to save money or increase business?
The Tri-State Development Summit Entrepreneurship Task Force is happy to announce an event designed to connect Service Providers and Entrepreneurs.
Tourism
The Tri-State Development Summit Tourism Task Force recently completed a collective tourism brochure for the 35 counties within the Summit region. The brochure is an important tool for communities throughout the region to promote themselves as a travel destination.
The project completion is very timely as gas prices rise and travelers find themselves vacationing closer to home. The brochure will be a great resource for people from St. Louis to Springfield to Des Moines in planning their summer and fall getaway plans.
More than 20 communities are featured in the brochure. The brochures are available by request through the Tri-State Development Summit at 217-223-8380 or are available in each of the communities featured in the brochure.
Communities/Counties featured are (by state):
Iowa: Fairfield, Villages of Van Buren (Van Buren County), Henry County, Fort Madison, Burlington and Keokuk.
Illinois: Nauvoo, Galesburg, Monmouth, Jacksonville, Macomb, Quincy, Brown County and Pike County.
Missouri: Kirksville, Canton, Hannibal, Louisiana and Mark Twain Lake.
“What a nice brochure to use for Day Tripping in the Tri-State area! New places to go, fun things to do and they are practically all in our own backyard!” Diane Bruening, Executive Director of the Galesburg Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"Macomb is pleased to be part of an effort that represents the region. The new brochure crosses state lines and boundaries effortlessly. We hope the leisure traveler does the same." Katherine Walker, President of the Macomb Area Convention Bureau
“The Midwest River Country visitors guide highlights the many great places in the Tri-State of Mind and it also demonstrates the concerted effort of Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri communities of welcoming visitors and improving economic development, on a regional basis,” said Rustin Lippincott, Executive Director of the Fairfield Iowa Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Iowa Tourism Task Force representative. “Our Tri-State of Mind region is rich in opportunities and this tourism brochure allows all 35 counties to speak with one voice.” To request a copy of the Toursim Brochure, please e-mail sschoon@illinois.edu.
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