River Bend Times

President Biden has enacted the ONSHORE Act, which stands for Opportunities for Non-developed Sites to Have Opportunities to be Rehabilitated for Economic Development. This legislation was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Congressman Eric Sorensen. It establishes the Critical Supply Chain Site Development program, aimed at providing competitive grants to communities like the Quad Cities. These grants are intended to support investment in new shovel-ready sites, fostering economic development.

"This is a big win for the Quad Cities region,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “We're investing in the revitalization of communities, fostering economic growth and fortifying our domestic supply chains,” she added. “This program not only empowers regions to attract investment and create jobs in Iowa, but also ensures our nation's strategic interests and economic security are safeguarded.”

Ryan Sempf, Executive Director of Government Affairs of the Quad Cities Chamber, stated that "The Quad Cities Chamber advocated for this legislation and is pleased to see it move on to the next step – funding."

Peter Tokar III, President & CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber, commented on the significance of this development: “The Quad Cities is a highly competitive location for advanced manufacturing, biosciences and defense,” he said. “This new funding brings needed investment in the next generation of sites to continue our regional growth and investment in these key industries.”

The U.S. Department of Commerce will manage this program by offering grants that assist communities with industrial site preparation for manufacturing projects deemed strategically important. The grants can cover expenses such as connecting sites to public utilities, completing environmental reviews required by law, investing in workforce training programs, among other necessary preparations. The Secretary of Commerce will determine which industries qualify as strategically important.