Marco Alvarez

Editorial byline

Marco Alvarez is an editorial byline for City & Local, with a focus on Business Spotlights, Services, Local Economy. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.

Learn more about our editorial process and use of automation in our AI & Automation disclosure.

Coverage Areas

Business Spotlights
Services
Local Economy
Entrepreneur Profiles

Latest Articles

A lone commuter waits at a dimly lit Miami-Dade bus stop as the city faces proposed service cuts and budget shortfalls, with unfinished rail projects in the background.
Services

Miami-Dade Mayor Proposes Cutting Bus Service Amid Budget Shortfalls

Miami-Dade's Mayor Daniella Levine Cava proposes draining an $89 million reserve, originally designated for future rail projects, to sustain current bus services as part of her 2027 budget, according

Sep 20, 2026 · 5 min read

Interior view of Il Duomo & The Hub, showcasing the elegant Italian restaurant dining area adjacent to the modern co-working space.
Business Spotlights

New Italian Restaurant and Co-working Space Opens Downtown

Starting October 15th, a previously vacant 8,000 sq ft storefront at 123 Main Street will host Il Duomo & The Hub, a 120-seat upscale Italian eatery and a 50-desk co-working hub.

Sep 18, 2026 · 4 min read

Wakulla County veterans protesting outside their local services office against a proposed closure, holding signs and showing solidarity.
Services

Wakulla County veterans protest plan to close services office

Veterans in Wakulla County are mobilizing against a plan that could shut down their local Veterans Services Office, jeopardizing direct access to critical support.

Sep 18, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse individuals carefully evaluating healthcare provider options on a digital screen, symbolizing informed patient choice for 2026.
Services

How to Choose the Best Local Healthcare Providers in 2026

Over 50% of medical bankruptcies stem from unexpected medical bills, even for insured individuals, reveals a critical gap in how Americans choose their healthcare providers, according to the American

Sep 17, 2026 · 5 min read

Split image: local business storefront transitioning to a futuristic digital advertising interface, representing the shift from Google Local Services Ads to Performance Max.
Services

Google Shifts Local Services Ads to Performance Max

By August 2026, local businesses relying on Google Local Services Ads will find their entire campaign management, bidding, and reporting history reset.

Sep 17, 2026 · 2 min read

A vibrant street scene in a small American town, showcasing diverse small businesses and active community members, symbolizing economic vitality.
Business Spotlights

Small businesses are primary drivers of private-sector jobs

In 2023 alone, 5.5 million new business applications were filed in the U.S., indicating a vibrant, ongoing entrepreneurial surge that underpins the nation's economic health. This consistent wave of ne

Sep 17, 2026 · 4 min read

A vibrant city street scene at dusk, highlighting a local business with digital signage, symbolizing the importance of local SEO for customer discovery.
Business Spotlights

What Is Local SEO and How to Implement It for 2026 Success?

In early 2026, over 200 million 'near me' searches were conducted monthly, signaling an immediate intent to purchase, according to Shopify .

Sep 16, 2026 · 4 min read

Futuristic government building with holographic interfaces showcasing modernized public services and AI integration for citizen access.
Services

Governments Adopt ServiceNow for Modernizing Public Services

The Tennessee Department of Human Services recently consolidated over 20 public phone numbers into a single contact center, powered by ServiceNow, dramatically simplifying citizen access to state aid.

Sep 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Chinese business professionals and global experts collaborating on international expansion strategies, symbolizing growth and global connectivity.
Business Spotlights

CPA Australia aids Chinese firms expanding globally with expert services.

Over two-thirds of surveyed Chinese businesses plan to expand into new international markets or deepen existing presences in the next one to three years.

Sep 14, 2026 · 3 min read

Split image comparing a nurturing greenhouse for startups (incubator) with a rocket launchpad for startups (accelerator), illustrating different growth paths.
Business Spotlights

Incubator vs. Accelerator: Which Drives Startup Growth Best?

Y Combinator, a leading accelerator, offers $500,000 in total funding to startups, but only one to three percent of applicants are typically accepted into such highly competitive programs, according t

Sep 14, 2026 · 4 min read

Diverse group of foreign residents in a modern counseling office in South Korea, receiving mental health support.
Services

South Korea's Mental Health Support for Foreign Residents

Foreign residents in South Korea can receive up to 12 reimbursed mental health sessions annually, with specific programs covering the full cost of eight senior-grade (Type 1) counseling sessions for l

Sep 13, 2026 · 4 min read

A vibrant city street with the Corbin Services building, symbolizing economic growth and job creation in the local community.
Business Spotlights

Corbin Services Boost Local Economy, Future Impact Discussed

In the last quarter alone, Content by Corbin hired 50 new employees, many of whom previously commuted out of the area, signaling a dramatic shift in the local job market.

Sep 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Split image: overflowing landfill contrasted with a modern, green recycling facility, symbolizing waste management challenges and recycling potential in Broward County.
Services

Local Waste Management & Recycling: Challenges & Potential

In Broward County, only 38% of waste is currently recycled, according to the Broward County Solid Waste Authority .

Sep 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse community members and local business owners interacting positively on a vibrant street, symbolizing trust and authentic recommendations.
Business Spotlights

Nextdoor's 'Local Faves' revolutionizes local business reputation

Nextdoor, a platform often associated with neighborhood chatter, is directly challenging Yelp's review model by launching 'Local Faves,' a feature designed to combat bot-generated reviews with verifie

Sep 12, 2026 · 4 min read

A visual representation of Florida Amendment 3's threat to children's services, contrasting vibrant programs with a looming shadow of potential funding cuts.
Services

Florida Amendment 3 threatens $280M cut to children's services

Florida's Children's Services Councils face a potential loss of nearly $280 million over the next two fiscal years if Amendment 3 passes, directly threatening programs for thousands of children.

Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Futuristic cityscape with AI interfaces and autonomous vehicles, representing the integration of artificial intelligence into local government services and urban management.
Services

AI will transform local services, but cities face major hurdles.

In Stockton, California, AI proactively scanned for code violations, surfacing 4,000 in just five days during a pilot program, according to the Chicago Tribune .

Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read

The AskCA AI assistant interface, a glowing digital portal, offering access to California's state services against a backdrop of the state capitol.
Services

California Launches AskCA AI Assistant for State Services

California has launched 'Ask CA', an AI digital assistant designed to be a single entry point for state services, including finding jobs, starting businesses, and accessing disaster relief, according

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read

A lively street view of a new coffee shop in Brevard County, Florida, symbolizing local business growth against a backdrop of economic duality.
Business Spotlights

New coffee shops, retail open amid mixed economic trends

More than 30 new restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries opened in Florida's Brevard County in 2026, expanding local dining and retail options.

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Mexican local business owners successfully leveraging digital platforms and e-commerce to achieve significant growth and market dominance.
Business Spotlights

Local Businesses Find E-commerce Success on Digital Platforms

In Mexico, local businesses are so dominant in e-commerce that they accounted for 90% of all transactions on platforms like Tiendanube in 2026, according to Mexico Business News .

Sep 10, 2026 · 4 min read

New '988' signs are being installed across North Carolina to improve access to mental health crisis support services for residents.
Services

NC Health Department Expands Mental Health Access With New 988 Signs

In North Carolina, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline handles an average of 11,443 contacts each month.

Sep 9, 2026 · 3 min read