Welcome to the Regional Development Authority!

Who we are: In compliance with the Iowa Excursion Boat Gambling Act, the Regional Development Authority (RDA) is the non-profit license holder and Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) for the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, IA. RDA receives funds from Rhythm City Casino’s gaming operation to use in making community grants. Eligible grant recipients include qualified nonprofits, as well as qualified educational and governmental entities. The RDA Board accepts grant applications in the spring and in the fall of each year. Instructions and due dates are found in the Granting Opportunities page.

Home to a variety of craft breweries, fun local shops, and nationally recognized chains, Davenport is the largest city in the QC metro. Experience the many restaurants, museums, nightlife, live music venues, farmers market, historic and unique hotel properties which include a casino resort that are all QC originals. In 1989, as he approached retirement he began lobbying Iowa to pass riverboat gambling. His boat the M/V Diamond Lady was the first legal riverboat casino in modern times when it sailed from Bettendorf on April 1, 1991. The President, a gambling boat owned by John E. Connelly, opened 30 minutes later in Davenport. Mississippi Belle II Riverboat Casino. 311 Riverview Drive Clinton, Iowa 52732: 9 blackjack tables with bets from $2 to $500. 444 slot and video poker machines. Assorted table games. Rhythm City Casino. 101 West River Drive Davenport, Iowa (800) BOAT-711 (563) 328-8048.

Because the Rhythm Room is located on the casino floor, you must be 21 years of age or older to attend and not be self-excluded from gaming in the state of Iowa. If you're an entertainer interested in performing in the Rhythm Room, please contact Rich Bentler, Entertainment Manager.

Regional Development Authority Grant Opportunities - Announcement 8-17-2020

Casino Boat Davenport Iowa Homes For Sale

Riverboat Casino Davenport Iowa

The Regional Development Authority is pleased to announce a normal granting cycle for the Fall of 2020! A normal cycle involves an online application open to qualified entities for a broad range of community funding requests, a Board applications scoring process, and a publicly-held Board meeting to approve grant recommendations. The RDA grant online application will open on August 24, 2020. The due date for the Fall 2020 applications is 11:59pm – September 30, 2020. Application questions have been refined to include consideration of specific pandemic challenges, current economic conditions, and addressing racial inequities. The three guideline documents posted on this page have been updated to reflect changes in the application.
The date of the RDA Board meeting to approve Fall 2020 grants will be announced on this website. Because of health and safety concerns, this Fall 2020 Board meeting will not be held in person. Instead, the Board will meet through a ZOOM video conference and a pubic “call in option” will be announced prior to the meeting. The tradition of sharing community updates will be delayed until we meet in person again. Thank you for the work you do to make our community a great place!