Rock Island is part of the Quad City region, and in order to get a clear picture of the community, one needs to look at the entire region. The largest of the fifteen communities in our metropolitan include Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline in Illinois, and Davenport and Bettendorf on the Iowa side of the river.

Located on the bend of the Mississippi where "the river runs east and west" the Quad Cities is made up of several close-knit municipalities in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. It is easily accessible by rail, barge, and air and sits at the convergence of Interstates 74, 80, and 88. This mid-sized metropolitan area offers the best of both worlds. Large enough for a great transportation infrastructure, cultural attractions, and high quality of life, yet small enough for ease of travel, low cost of living, and low crime rate.

The people of the Quad Cities have inherited the strong work ethic of an industry-oriented community resulting in a highly productive work force. Our commitment to learning is reflected by one of the top high school graduation rates in the nation, three quality university campuses, and several, wellrounded vocational programs.

When the work is done, we enjoy a variety of festivals, sports, and recreational activities. Our appreciation of the arts is evident in a wide variety of performing arts and museums. Additionally, we take the opportunity to enjoy our scenic riverfront and communities through the many festivals and events held throughout the year.

For a quick fact sheet on the Quad Cities click here. For more information on the business climate in the Quad Cities visit the regional development organization Quad Cities First at www.quadcities.org. The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau will provide information on arts & culture, attractions, and festivals & events at www.visitquadcities.com. The 2009 Vitality Snapshot, a report that tracks specific indicators in the Quad Cities to help focus public and private efforts to make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family, was produced by Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Quad City Health Initiative, The Moline Foundation, United Way of the Quad Cities Area.