Tri-State Development Summit kicks off as leaders look for solutions

BURLINGTON, IA (WGEM) – The Tri-States Development Summit convenes again on Wednesday.

The annual meeting has been held for more than 30 years, with the goal of creating new ideas. They look to help grow the Tri-States, especially in the area of transportation. The Mississippi River is key to that. While it may divide the states geographically, it brings them together in other ways.

At the summit, port development will be a subject of conversation. So will highway development a 1,700 miles of four-lane highway have been created thanks to the Tri-State Development Summit.

That’s according to Tri-State Development Executive Director Leslie Sieck. She said the summit brings the Tri-State community together for the better.

“Coming together to talk about economic development gives us an amplified voice; an amplified voice to our state legislators, our federal legislators and also allows us to really find the best practices and implement them throughout the region,” said Sieck.

Housing solutions are also set to be discussed during the two-day event. Great River Economic Development Foundation President Kyle Moore is part of a panel on workforce housing in the Tri-States.

He said to expect new, good ideas on solving housing problems. Moore comes in with a Quincy and Illinois perspective but will gain the insights of those from other communities.

“Housing is an issue that’s affecting every community in the Tri-State area, and I think we’re going to have a really good dialogue on some of the solutions that we’ve offered here in Adams County, and also learn from folks in Missouri and Iowa as well,” said Moore.

Moore added the Tri-States are better when they work together, rather than as separate entities.

“I think we’re always better when we tackle things as a region,” said Moore. “We don’t really consider ourselves only from, you know, Quincy or Illinois. We really consider ourselves part of the Tri-State region.”

The Tri-State Development Summit runs Oct. 2-3, ending Wednesday afternoon. All members of the public are welcome to attend. It takes place at the Catfish Bend Convention & Event Center in Burlington, Iowa.