Moline, Illinois-The Quad City International Airport today unveiled two new Level II Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units in the short-term parking lot.  Each dual charging unit has the capacity to charge two vehicles in 4 - 6 hours.  The installation is part of a broader effort to expand the charging infrastructure to support anticipated growth in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle use over the next five to 10 years.

The new EV charging units are the result of a partnership between the Quad City International Airport and Delta Institute, a Chicago-based non-profit environmental and economic development organization, initiated by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce.  Genesis Health System is also participating in the project, and will install two of the same type of units at its new Medical Center being built on a brownfield site in Moline.  When completed, the installations will increase the number of away-from-home charging locations in the Quad Cities area to six, complementing existing facilities at the parking garage near the Rock Island City Parking Ramp, Lujack's Nissan Dealership, Courtesy Car City and Tri-City Electric.

"We are pleased to be one of the first public facilities in the region to offer EV Charging service to those customers who have an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle," said Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation for the Quad City International Airport.  "It is critical that we move forward with technology, and keep up with the most current needs of our travelers."

Charging units are popping up at hotels, restaurants, retail sites and tourist attractions around the nation. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that there are approximately 4,600 public charging stations currently installed in the U.S and the number is expected to grow in the coming decade.  Kohl's Department stores recently announced that by the end of fall, it will have a total of 101 charging stations at 52 locations across 14 states. Walgreen's has been in the process of installing charging stations in 800 locations over the past year.

According to Carter, the units will also allow the airport to play a role as an alternative fuel hub on a national level. "This is part of a broader movement to establish airports as a reliable location for alternative vehicle fueling."

The installation of Quad Cities' latest charging units was made possible by a grant from the U.S. EPA. Delta Institute purchased four Dual EV Charging Units from Eaton Corporation, after being funded by the EPA to identify sustainable reuse opportunities for brownfields in weak market areas.  Since 2011, Delta has worked with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce to identify potential partners and sites.  Both the Airport and Genesis Health System seized the opportunity to provide the service to their customers and employees.  The Airport and Genesis will install and maintain the units, and will provide the electricity without cost for a five year period.  After applying for the Illinois DCEO's EV rebate program, they each could be reimbursed for half the cost of installation.

"Delta Institute works to drive economic and environmental improvements," said Jean Pogge, CEO. "The availability of charging infrastructure not only helps grow demand for alternative fuel vehicles, it creates new market opportunity for manufacturers, dealers and suppliers working in that sector."

Genesis Health System will be installing two units in the new Medical Building on 41^st Street in Moline. The building is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2013.  A former brownfield site, the planned structure will include a number of "green" features, including an outdoor walking path and nature area.

"We are pleased to be a part of advancing the Quad Cities capacity to accommodate electric vehicles and welcome new opportunities to bring innovative green technologies to the region," said Tara Barney, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce CEO.

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About Delta Institute: Delta Institute is a Chicago-based center of innovation that creates market opportunities to build regional economies that are job rich and inclusive. In partnership with business, government and local communities, Delta tackles the hard problems using creative approaches to find cost-effective sustainability that values natural resources, energy efficiency and waste stream reductions.

 

About the Quad City International Airport: The Quad City International Airport (QCIA) offers dozens of daily departures to 10 nonstop cities, with hundreds of connections beyond.  The QCIA strives to make travel an easier experience for their customers.

 

About the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce: The Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Our mission is to enhance the business environment, represent the interests of our members, and foster balanced growth in the Quad-Cities region. Go to QuadCitiesChamber.com for more information.

WHO: Individuals served, staff, board members, organization members and family of individuals
served will be in attendance. The Arc's Board of Directors, Staff, and Quad Cities
Chamber representatives will conduct the ceremony. Mayor John Thodos and
Alderman Gary Almblade of the City of East Moline have been invited, as well as
project contractors. The event is by invitation only and is open to the media.

WHAT: Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony celebrating the licensing of The Arc's newest
Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA group home). Additionally the
home will be dedicated and named the "LaSalle House," in grateful memory of
Manita LaSalle, lifelong Moline resident and special friend of The Arc. A reception
offering light refreshments will follow.

WHY:

WHEN: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
1 pm

WHERE:

Publicly announcing this major program expansion of The Arc's residential services.

4013/4015 Kennedy Drive
East Moline, Illinois

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area serves more than 300 individuals with intellectual and other
disabilities. Programs foster the highest degree of independence possible, offering residential
services, developmental and vocational skills training, supported employment, and respite
care. From its humble beginnings in the home of a privately-hired teacher in 1952, The Arc has
evolved to a $13.5 million non-profit which employs a staff of more than 250.

The Arc is a CARF-accredited organization and a United Way partner agency.

The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
4016 9th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

309-786-6474 - www.arcqca.org

SEAL Team 6 Author Discusses Value of Legit Nonprofits

With the war in Afghanistan set to end in 2014, and the Iraq war having ended two years ago, charities that help veterans and their families may be busier than ever - but without the public awareness generated by an ongoing conflict.

Support for the war effort in Afghanistan is on par with the unpopular Vietnam War during the early 1970s, according to a recent Associated Press-GfK poll; only 27 percent of Americans support the effort in Afghanistan. A fundamental difference between then and now, however, is Americans' nearly unanimous support of U.S. troops, says J. L. Narmi, author of SEAL Team 6, bin Laden and Beyond (www.narminovels.com).

"The vitriol expressed toward our Vietnam veterans by many was disgusting, but I think we learned from that injustice, and most Americans think the troops deserve much more support than they're getting," says Narmi, who comes from a military family. All proceeds from his book sales will go to support veterans' charities.

"The problem is that funding, whether it's through government or private charities, doesn't match the expressed support," he says. "And I worry that will only get worse as these soldiers move out of the public eye and try to take up peace-time lives."

Narmi cites some good resources for Americans looking for quality charities that support the troops:

• The Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org): With advances in protective gear and life-saving medical technology, fewer troops are coming home in coffins than in previous wars, but more are coming back with lifelong injury. This charity seeks to foster a generation of well-adjusted wounded service members, and to raise public awareness about their needs and how fellow military men and women can help each other.

• The Navy SEAL Foundation (www.navysealfoundation.org): As detailed in Narmi's novel, SEALs are among the most physically and mentally talented individuals in the world. But they, along with their families, endure enormous stressors, many of which are never discussed due to the nature of their duties. This charity supports these elite warriors and their families.

• Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org): Whether or not you think you know about the legitimacy of a charitable organization, it doesn't hurt to take a few minutes to verify an organization's status. This site is widely recognized by investigative reporters to be a reliable resource in reporting a nonprofit's activity. The above two groups, in which Narmi has donated money, have been verified via Charity Navigator.

• Still not sure? ... Skepticism is understandable. It seems the more we hear or read about charities, the more we learn that we shouldn't simply take their word for how donations will be spent. Media coverage spotlights those outlier groups that are clearly fraudulent; however, most charitable organizations are absolutely streamlined, with workers donating their time or receiving a minimal wage. It has never been easier to verify a charity's reputation. Additionally, for those with the time and willingness, individuals may create their own nonprofit. Narmi is working to set up his own, called Hire the Vets!

"If everyone who said they support the troops gave just a modest amount to help a veteran that has risked his or her life for our freedom, we would come across far fewer tragedies on the news about vet-related joblessness, homelessness and suicide," he says.

About J. L. Narmi

J. L. Narmi comes from family with deep roots in the military; his brother, retired Rear Admiral Ronald E. Narmi, worked closely with SEAL teams throughout his career. Narmi's fascination with the Navy SEALs resulted in ""SEAL Team 6, bin Laden and Beyond," which was completed just eight days before the real-life mission that resulted in bin Laden's death. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and earned his MBA from Creighton University. Narmi is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute of the Wharton School - University of Pennsylvania.

Rep. Bobby Schilling a "No Show" Per Usual

Freeport, IL - Residents of Congressional District IL 17 thanked candidate Cheri Bustos for visiting 'Bainport' today and for her continued support of Sensata workers' fighting to save their jobs from outsourcing to China by Bain Capital.

Sensata has emerged as a flashpoint in the controversy over Romney's ties to Bain with the company's employees asking Mitt Romney to intercede on their behalf and save their jobs. Their cries go unanswered and Romney seems to be simply ignoring these workers.

For months, residents too have been calling on Rep. Bobby Schilling to stop the export of these U.S. jobs overseas and their pleas have obviously fallen on deaf ears.

"We now know firsthand what a Romney/Schilling economy looks like, losing good U.S. jobs," said Deborah Johnson a voter in IL 17. "We need someone to speak for us in Washington D.C. and Cheri Bustos has shown us time and time again that she is a leader and speaks for the 99% instead of the richest 1%. Cheri needs to win this election and I will not rest until she is elected."

In September, the workers began to camp outside the plant to protest Bain's decision to ship their jobs to China and increase the pressure on Mitt Romney. Romney still receives income from Sensata Technologies. The workers say will they stay on-site in until they are heard and in the hope of illustrating the dangers of re-electing Bobby Schilling and of a Romney economy.