Mayor Bill Gluba, hosted elected and administrative city and county officials for a brisk walk, bike ride or even skate board activity today in recognition of Quad City in Motion Week.  Officials met at the Lindsay Park Marina and proceeded along the Mississippi River Trail to lunch at the Boat House on foot, bike and skate board.  Elected participants included Bettendorf Mayor Mike Freemire, Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley, Moline Mayor Don Welvaert, Rock Island County Board Chair Jim Bohnsack and Scott County Board Chair Chris Gallin.  Administrative officials included Craig Malin, Davenport City Administrator; Dee Bruemmer, Scott County Administrator, John Phillips, Rock Island City Manager and Denise Bulat, Bi-State Regional Commission.

The rain stayed away and the overcast conditions were perfect for the informal outing which offered the opportunity to enjoy the Quad City area trail system.  QC in Motion Week is a week dedicated to healthy living and our environment.  It celebrates movement through alternative transportation, employee health walks, informational bike rides through our local parks and many, many more great activities.  The week has focused on promoting ways of incorporating physical activity into your daily routine, highlighting the importance prevention plays in maintaining a healthy & productive workforce and increasing awareness that a healthier environment leads to a healthier community. Area residents were encouraged to minimize car use during the week and participate in as many of the week's activities as possible.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - MAY 21, 2010 - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement as the Obama Administration released guidance for biomedical research firms to take advantage of a new tax credit.  The new policy became law as part of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health reform bill.  Harkin helped craft that law as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  He has been a long-time leader to secure funding for biomedical research as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds health initiatives.

"The promise of health reform continues to become a reality for Iowans," said Senator Harkin. "With the guidance released today, our economy will begin to turn the corner with good jobs in the field of biomedical research and incentives to boost research and produce new therapies in this critical field.  I urge all eligible firms to look into this new incentive and take advantage."

Key facts on the Therapeutic Discovery Tax Credit:

•    The tax credit is effective immediately and covers up to 50 percent of the cost of qualifying biomedical research.
•    The credit will be allocated among projects that show significant potential to produce new and cost-saving therapies, support good jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness.
•    The credit is only available to smaller firms: those with 250 workers or fewer.
•    Firms can opt to receive a grant instead of a tax credit, so startups that are not yet profitable can benefit as well.

The new tax incentive will be administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Applications are available on IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/ and are due by July 21st, 2010.

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Rock Island, IL - Russell Construction was honored to be a part of a milestone event that took place on the Rock Island Arsenal. This ceremonial event was held to celebrate the completion of the first of three phases for the new First Army headquarters, located on the Rock Island Arsenal, and to commence construction on the building's entrance sign.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on May 20, 2010 Lieutenant General Thomas Miller, commanding officer for U.S. First Army, joined Rock Island Arsenal employees, Quad City community members, elected officials and Russell Construction employees to lay the first stones of the new First Army headquarters entrance sign. Currently headquartered at Fort Gillem, Georgia, First Army was ordered to relocate to the Rock Island Arsenal after the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). First Army is expected to be in full operation by summer 2011.

"We're going to blend in, and we're going to be a part of the team," Lt. Gen. Thomas Miller said before touring a 150,000-square-foot building that had previously been home to an accounting and finance unit. First Army is responsible for the training, readiness and mobilization of all National Guard and Army Reserve units across the United States and two U.S. territories. For more information on First Army, please visit their website at www.first.army.mil.

The construction of this project consists of unified team effort between the US Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District; Pond: Architects, Engineers & Planners; Tetratech, Inc. and Russell Construction. As a Midwest leader in Construction Management, Design/Build and General Contracting services, projects for the Department of Defense at the Rock Island Arsenal since 2005. Other federal government clients include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Iowa Army/Air National Guard's and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. For more information on Russell Construction, please visit their website at www.russellco.com.