business

St. Ambrose University's College of Business has a new leader. This month, Dr. Maritza Espina began her new job as dean of the college in Davenport, where about 900 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled.

Espina grew up in Puerto Rico and has 16 years experience in teaching, management research, publications, and service.

St. Ambrose University is expanding services to its post-graduate business alumni. The new, "Forever Masters" program kicks off tonight and tomorrow with a keynote speaker.

Dr. Ron Wastyn, Director of the Master of Organizational Leadership program in the College of Business, says Forever Masters shows the school's commitment to those who earned MBA, Master of Organizational Leadership, Master of Accounting, and Doctor of Business Administration degrees at SAU.

Western Illinois University is an economic driver in the region by employing  hundreds of people and bringing in thousands of students to the campuses in Macomb and the Quad Cities. The University also strives to grow the local economy by lending a helping hand to entrepreneurs and small business owners through its Small Business Development Center.

An office building in downtown Rock Island has been sold to the highest bidder. Over the past three days, the former Bitco Insurance headquarters was on the auction block on a website called, "Tranzon." It's located on 18th Street at Third Avenue.

The latest survey from the Iowa Business Council shows economic activity in the state is improving. The group’s 4th quarter index stands at 59, up two points from last quarter. That’s still one point lower than a year ago. Any mark above 50 shows business sentiment among corporate executives is positive.

The results are especially strong for the future sales index which is at 66, seven points higher than the third quarter.

The Iowa Business Council consists of the top executives at Iowa’s largest companies, plus the presidents of the three regents universities.

More people are visiting the Quad Cities this August compared to August, 2015. The convention and visitors bureau says tourists are here for the John Deere Classic, which is usually held in July. And the Quad City Symphony Orchestra changed the date of its Riverfront Pops concert from September to August.