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Economy

Local Manufacturers Need to Diversify & Grow

Quad Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub and Quad Cities Chamber

We need to know how new technology can help local manufacturers, and create a strategy to help them diversify. Those are two of the goals for Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and its Manufacturing Innovation Hub, as they launch two initiatives. The first is a technology road map.

Executive Director of the hub, Curt Burnett, says the chamber has hired a company called NewEdge to learn what local manufacturers and suppliers think about new technologies.

Formal portrait of Curt Burnett, Executive Director of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub
Credit submitted
Curt Burnett, Executive Director of the Quad Cities Manufacturing Innovation Hub

With the second initiative, Burnett says they'll learn what manufacturers are located in the Quad Cities area, what they make, and who they sell it to. The goal is to add customers besides the defense department.

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We'll take that data and do some scenarios to build on strengths and find opportunities to diversify. That's where the road map comes in because we want to find areas that are growing.

He hopes both projects help companies compete as manufacturing undergoes historic changes in materials, processes, and products.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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