Governor Quinn Announces $4 Million for Moline's iWireless Center Improvements

MOLINE – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $4 million capital investment to update and improve the iWireless Center in Moline. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“The iWireless Center draws events and visitors from around the country and is key to the continued economic development of the area,” Governor Quinn said. “These improvements will help the center better serve families in the Quad Cities for years to come.”

The state investment to the Illinois Quad City Civic Center Authority (IQCCCA) is part of Governor Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. It will include a concourse expansion and new lower bowl area seating, as well as upgrades to the center’s security and lighting systems, roof, flooring, climate control systems, plumbing and ice rink equipment. Accessibility improvements will also be made. The project will help the center stay competitive with other regional venues and continue to be a positive economic development force for the Quad Cities area.

“On behalf of the iWireless Center, we are extremely pleased that Governor Quinn and our area legislators have released these funds,” IQCCCA Chairman Paul Mulcahey said. “These funds will be used to enhance the services we currently provide our community. These monies will enable us to maintain a first-rate facility for the people of our community.”

The 11,000-seat facility opened in 1993. It is located at 1201 River Drive on land donated by Deere & Co. and its original construction was funded through a combination of state, local and private funds. It is the area’s prime venue for entertainment and conventions and these events have a positive impact on local sales and hotel-motel tax revenues.

“The iWireless Center has been an economic boom for the area since it opened in 1993,” State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) said. “The Center provides space for everything from concerts to sporting events and is the premier venue for entertainment in the region. These funds will help make improvements that will keep the arena up to date and competitive for many years.”

“The iWireless Center is a well-managed venue and has a great positive economic impact on our community,” State Rep. Pat Verschoore (D-Milan) said. “I have been working with members of the center to secure these funds, which will help improve this valuable asset in our community and help ensure it continues to entertain Illinois residents for years to come.”

“We need to ensure that the iWireless Center remains a top destination, not only in the Midwest but in the entire nation,” State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) said. “These funds will help the iWireless Center continue to create jobs in the Quad Cities.”

The iWireless Center funding is part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.