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QUINCY, ILL. -- Consumer confidence is on the rise nationwide. People are more optimistic about their finances and are spending more.

But what's the situation in the Tri-States?

"We've seen an increase in like our bids, we got a lot of bids out right now and a lot of perspective homes and foundations to put in this year," Brent Bockenfeld said.

Brent Bockenfeld co-owns Bockenfeld Construction and compared to last year, business is booming.

"Right now we have three going on right now," Bockenfeld said. "Compared to last year we had one at this time."

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index reported an increase in consumer confidence ... the highest its been since April 2008.

"Consumers are definitely starting to feel a little bit better about the economy and about their own individual situations," Travis Brown, executive director of the Historic Quincy Business District said. "We're starting to see more and more people out and shopping."

People are especially shopping in the housing market. According to the Illinois Association of Realtors, home sales have increased statewide ... but that may not include Quincy.

"Overall between 2010-2011 we've been seeing a decline in the number of sales," Alan Vanderboe, a board member of the Quincy Association of Realtors, told KHQA's Kristen Aguirre. But that decline may be on the up rise.

"We do think that the sales, although they trended down, we kind of think they're at that low valley now and will hopefully start to pick up again," Vanderboe said.

With consumer confidence high and the economy on the rise, businesses like Bockenfeld Construction are looking forward to 2012.

"I feel confident that we're going to have a great year this year," Bockenfeld said.

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