3M’s expansion is great for the Quad-Cities

By Quad-City Times

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Economic development successes aren't always measured in hundreds of new jobs.

Take the recent groundbreaking at the 3M plant in Cordova, for example.

A $90 million expansion celebrated by company officials and employees will mean about an additional 20 jobs to add to the current workforce of just less than 400.

What is so significant is what those jobs mean and the fact they are coming without the benefit of any state tax incentives.

The project will expand a product line, Novec, that is very specialized and very successful. Novec fluid technology is used in a variety of industries, including electronics, data centers, archives and museums, aerospace, military, automotive and transportation semiconductors, medical devices and more.

Company officials say the products are nonflammable and have low toxicity, low global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential. It's another example of 3M's commitment to environmental responsibility.

The expansion will create 70 full-time equivalent construction jobs.

It's heartening, but no surprise, to hear Joe Koch, business director for 3M Electronics Markets Materials Division say the expansion here makes sense, and noting the company's “access to an educated work force that is hard-working and has a proven record.”

The Quad-Cities work force is a demonstrated strength frequently cited by companies seeking to locate here or our community's existing business partners.

We welcome the good news coming from the 3M Cordova plant. Job by job, this news adds to our local economic recovery.