No doubt about it -- agriculture is big business throughout Scott County. On more than 900 farms covering 225,000-plus acres of the most fertile and productive land in the country, area farmers raise crops and farm animals that feed the world. Principal crops here are corn, soybeans, oats, hay and wheat. Principal livestock includes hogs and cattle. Scott County stands strong on land-use policies to preserve its prime agricultural land, and is a state leader of this cause.
Scott County's natural resources, plus our technological capabilities and quality workforce make Scott County a prime location for other businesses. The cost of doing business remains low, our work force ethic translates into high productivity and our central location provides easy nationwide access.
Quality Workforce
The work ethic of Scott County residents stems from the hard-working attitudes of its first settlers. On average, the area workforce is 22 percent more productive than the national average. Scott County's cost of living is well under the national average. The net results of these factors can be highly profitable.
International Business Services
Fast and efficient services allow for convenient, immediate international trade opportunities. Scott County is home to: U.S. Customs Port of Entry, Foreign Trade Zone, Intermodel transfer station, paired entry program, ocean freight full containers, custom brokers and bonded cartman carriers.
Transportation Services
By rail, air, water or highway, Scott County has the means of getting you and your products where they need to go--fast. The area is served by:
The Davenport Municipal Airport provides private aircraft rental and maintenance, general aviation services and weather reporting services. Across the river, the regional Quad City International Airport has seven carrier airlines with more than 60 daily arrivals and departures, plus six major freight carrier services, full-service, fixed-base operations, a U. S. Postal Service mail-processing center and a U. S. Customs Port of Entry.
Freight rail services include Burlington Northern; Davenport, Rock Island and NorthWestern Railway; I&M Rail Link; and the Iowa Interstate Railroad.
Along the Mississippi River, you'll find 46 private and four public barge terminals traveling a nine-foot channel during a 10-month navigational season.
More than 90 motor-freight carriers and a United Parcel Service are also at your service.
Development Assistance
The Scott County Department of Planning and Development is responsible for promoting and coordinating economic development in Scott County. The department oversees all land use in unincorporated areas of the county, and enforce county zoning, building codes, subdivisions and flood plain development ordinances. This department also handles building permits in all unincorporated areas of the county, as well as Dixon, Donahue, LeClaire, McCausland and Riverdale.
Businesses interested in locating in Davenport work through the City of Davenport's Division of Community and Economic Development Department. In Bettendorf, assistance is available through the City of Bettendorf's Community Development Department. The Business and Industry Center of Eastern Iowa Community College District helps businesses get off to a good start, providing customized training and support services.
Other sources for development information include the Iowa Quad Cities
Commercial and Manufacturing Space
The Scott County Regional Industrial Park provides easy access to major highway transportation and is five minutes from the Davenport Municipal Airport. It is zoned light industrial and has electricity, natural gas, water and sewer in place.
The Eastern Iowa Industrial Center (EIIC), located in Davenport, Iowa along the I-80 corridor features immediate access to Interstate 80 served by over 100 motor carriers. EIIC offers easy access to area airports and is minutes away from Mississippi River barge transportation.
Another industrial site is the Iowa Research, Commerce and Technology Park in Davenport at the crossroads of I-80 and U.S. 61. This 210-acre business park has fully landscaped oversized lots and provides the perfect balance between environment and technology. It is adjacent to the Davenport Municipal Airport and has direct access to taxiways.
County Government
Iowa home rule policy allows counties to determine their own local affairs as long as they are consistent with and not expressly prohibited by the Iowa Attorney General. Scott County is governed by an elected board of supervisors, which appoints a county administrator to coordinate day-to-day activities.
All communities within Scott County have a mayor-council form of government, and most have an appointed administrator.
Scott County residents are eligible for several Iowa tax credits, including: Homestead Tax Credit, Agricultural Land Tax Credit, Military Exemptions, Elderly Tax Credit, and Forest/Fruit Tree Exemption.
Services funded in part or in full by Scott County include the BI-State Regional Commission, Center for Alcohol and Drug Services, Center for Aging Services, Inc., Community Health Care, Inc., Davenport Hospital Based Ambulance Services, Inc., Genesis Visiting Nurse and Homemakers Service, Handicapped Development Center, Humane Society of Scott County, Mississippi Valley Fair, Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, Quad City Development Group, and the Vera French Community Mental Health Center.
Other Important Information About Scott County