Opinion
Prison education program deserves credit
Congratulations to Augustana College and its continuation of the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP), which for the first time graduated three students who are...
Understanding sales tax exemptions for manufacturers
Sales tax exemptions are powerful tools that help manufacturers reduce costs, reinvest in operations, create jobs and boost productivity. In a competitive industry, understanding...
Mental health awareness demands collective action
May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to reflect, speak out, and come together for a cause that touches every one of...
Preserve ‘the Rock’
The Quad Cities experienced some economic anxiety over the past couple years when John Deere laid off many hundreds of workers due to the...
Unpredictable tariffs are threatening small business survival
The dream of expanding my ice cream business just got shelved – indefinitely. And I’m not alone. Across America, small business owners are battening...
Stop rescuing — start investing
In times of crisis, our instincts often drive us to act quickly – to step in, patch holes, and keep things afloat. In the...
As women increase their wealth use these tips to avoid pitfalls
Women are building their own financial legacies by earning more money than ever, as well as running their own businesses and owning homes that...
St. Ambrose’s merger with Mount Mercy advances
The idea of merging two businesses is often based on achieving more growth, reducing costs, increasing market share and diversifying operations. And, ideally the...
Iowa’s role in restoring America’s maritime dominance
President Trump’s Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance Executive Order was issued on April 9, 2025. Iowa is ready.
We all appreciate how Iowa is embracing its...
Replace Centennial Bridge
The Quad Cities is all about bridges: the new, magnificent Interstate 74 bridge; the ill-fated Bison Bridge concept; the lighting of the I-74 bridge;...
Shelter in Place a solution for all communities concerned about homeless
Each year the Quad Cities has a Low-Barrier Winter Overflow Shelter from December to April 15.
This shelter has for many years been situated in...
2025 turning into ‘dream year’ for Clinton projects
When Clinton, Iowa, business leaders developed the Lincolnway Industrial Rail & Air over two decades ago, 2025 was the dream year they had in...
Lessons in succession planning – from the sauna
Regular sauna use – 15-20 minutes, two to four times a week -- provides numerous health benefits, including cardiovascular improvement, muscle recovery, stress reduction,...
Leveraging the river
Up and down the Mississippi River, the Quad Cities region has been making incremental strides in better utilizing the beloved river from Renew Moline...
Getting back to business: three things that never change
As the business world shifts and adapts in response to cultural conversations, economic demands, and workplace trends, one thing remains constant: the need for...
Aligning higher education with workforce
“How can higher education be responsive to the region’s education, training, and economic needs?”
It is a compelling question, but one that isn’t always being...
Labor/management groups stand united against Iowa SF 603
The Iowa Senate’s passage of Senate File (SF) 603 threatens the construction industry, undermining local control and the labor-management partnerships that have long strengthened...
Now or never
Everyone knows that Chicago dominates the political climate in Illinois. That puts downstate priorities, which often don’t align with Chicago’s, at a disadvantage.
But sometimes...
How financial institutions can support women entrepreneurs
According to a recent survey by Bank of America, 63% of women business owners feel they need to work harder to achieve the same...
Corridor casino bid amplifies need to invest in QC tourism
I was recently invited by my counterpart in Irving, Texas, to discuss gaming and destination development as Texas considers legalizing gambling and redeveloping the...