Who We ARE, What We do. 

GROWTH has persevered as one of the nation’s best community-based development corporations. Celebrating over 30 years, GROWTH is a nationally recognized leader in mixed-use and mixed-income projects with a proven track record of developing housing that is affordable while building a dynamic housing market.  By leveraging nearly $170 million in local investment, GROWTH has earned its reputation as a trendsetter of implementing cutting edge housing and community and economic development programs.  

Since 2009, GROWTH has been using a unified regional approach identifying new partnerships and new opportunities. In 2012, GROWTH Board approved becoming national non-profit serving low income communities throughout the nation. In 2015, GROWTH's regional housing developments were realized in 2015 while financing for both single family rehabilitation programs and multifamily development. In 2016, GROWTH closed on its first multifamily development, Lawrence Lofts, in Sterling, IL, In 2016, GROWTH's Community Development Entity, Central States Development Partners, Inc. received its first allocation of federal New Market Tax Credits, and since that time, has secured 4 consecutive federal awards and deployed allocation within 10 states throughout the US. 

The History
In the 1980's, Rock Island, Illinois was hit hard due to the collapse of the farm equipment industry.  At the time, one of the region's primary employers closed its doors resulting in the loss of 20,000 manufacturing jobs for the region. The decline was so swift that a common bumper sticker read "If you are the last one to leave, please turn out the lights.” Rock Island was hit particularly hard losing 5,000 jobs and 20% of its population, resulting in a huge drop in its tax base. Instead of giving up, the community joined together to seek ways to promote new development, new housing, new businesses, expansion of current businesses and to improve the overall quality of life in Rock Island.  The renaissance began and GROWTH was birthed, serving as a catalyst to spur the commitment and investment of public and private partners.  

The Result
What can be seen 35 years later is resiliency: a steadfast commitment to changing a community loss into one of renewal and economic vigor. The developments and programs by GROWTH in its home town have made a dramatic difference and is a major contributor to the overall tax base. Now, as a non-profit with a national footprint, GROWTH continues to revitalize underserved communities through its complex organizational structure.