ARSENAL ISLAND -
The Rock Island Arsenal is working to forge its future by building public-private partnerships with civilian companies. A "get-to-know-each-other" agreement with Lockheed-Martin is the latest step.
It comes on the heels of a deal with BAE Systems to develop lightweight armor.
With temperatures soaring inside the Army's only remaining foundry, the Arsenal is becoming a hot spot for deal making with civilian companies. A preliminary pact with Lockheed-Martin is just the first step to adding business and growing jobs.
"Together, they're a formidable force and can help support the war fighter in better ways," said Fred Smith, Spirit Partners. "Perhaps some that we haven't envisioned today."
The agreement found its origins at the Arsenal's Industry Day in August. Reasons, in part, why the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center added some 700 jobs during the last two years. More than 130 vendors came to get a piece of the action.
"It's not just the Quad Cities," Col. Craig Cotter commented at the time. "There are firms here from all over the country, from California to Virginia and points in between."
In this first phase, the Arsenal will be sharing ideas with Lockheed-Martin. But it could lead to projects in the plant and eventually a presence on the island.
"I think that sets a good example for other private sector people to take a look at the Arsenal, and see what kind of applications they can do for them," said East Moline Mayor John Thodos.
It's like an insurance policy for Arsenal Island. Partnerships make it more viable and valuable if and when BRAC evaluation time returns.
"What we're really trying to do is differentiate ourselves and create these unique factors that cannot be done somewhere else," said Rick Baker, President and CEO of the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce.
In its news release, Lockheed-Martin calls it "combining the best of government with the best of industry."
"It makes the Arsenal just that much more valuable," Mayor Thodos concluded. "Not just for the military, but also for the Quad Cities."
It comes on the heels of a deal with BAE Systems to develop lightweight armor.
With temperatures soaring inside the Army's only remaining foundry, the Arsenal is becoming a hot spot for deal making with civilian companies. A preliminary pact with Lockheed-Martin is just the first step to adding business and growing jobs.
"Together, they're a formidable force and can help support the war fighter in better ways," said Fred Smith, Spirit Partners. "Perhaps some that we haven't envisioned today."
The agreement found its origins at the Arsenal's Industry Day in August. Reasons, in part, why the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center added some 700 jobs during the last two years. More than 130 vendors came to get a piece of the action.
"It's not just the Quad Cities," Col. Craig Cotter commented at the time. "There are firms here from all over the country, from California to Virginia and points in between."
In this first phase, the Arsenal will be sharing ideas with Lockheed-Martin. But it could lead to projects in the plant and eventually a presence on the island.
"I think that sets a good example for other private sector people to take a look at the Arsenal, and see what kind of applications they can do for them," said East Moline Mayor John Thodos.
It's like an insurance policy for Arsenal Island. Partnerships make it more viable and valuable if and when BRAC evaluation time returns.
"What we're really trying to do is differentiate ourselves and create these unique factors that cannot be done somewhere else," said Rick Baker, President and CEO of the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce.
In its news release, Lockheed-Martin calls it "combining the best of government with the best of industry."
"It makes the Arsenal just that much more valuable," Mayor Thodos concluded. "Not just for the military, but also for the Quad Cities."
