"E Pluribus Unum" for development groups in the QCs?

Once again, the idea of consolodating, or at least forming a co-operative structure, between the various development organizations in the Quads is being knocked around.

The task force charged with studying the regionalization of economic and community development activities in the Quad-Cities said in a statement received Thursday that their members endorsed the collaborative talks and their discussions had no pre-ordained outcome.

The task force is comprised of representatives of the Quad City Development Group, DavenportOne, the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce and the Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce.

A group of 27 community leaders told the organizations June 12 that they expected the task force to propose a new regional economic development "structure" within 120 days. The letter warned there would be "funding consequences if the status quo is maintained."

However, representatives of area city governments said Thursday there may be other steps that should be taken before the groups plunge ahead and reorganize the development group or consolidate DavenportOne and the Illinois and Bettendorf chambers of commerce.

I have absolutely no clue whether one structure would be better than the next, but at the very least, it seems that there should be one board composed of reps from all the organizations which would at least serve a coordinating function in order to avoid duplication of services, cost savings, and to ensure that one hand knows what the other hand is doing.

What do you think?