Section

Business Spotlights

Get to know the local businesses that drive our economy and shape our community.

Asheville small businesses thriving with new recovery grants, showcasing a vibrant and hopeful economic landscape.

Asheville city fund boosts businesses with recovery grants

The City of Asheville is injecting a staggering $15.5.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 1· 4 min
Inked Beauty Bar Makes Tiny Fine-Line Tattoos Personal Through Design and Placement in St. Louis

Inked Beauty Bar Makes Tiny Fine-Line Tattoos Personal Through Design and Placement in St. Louis

The demand for personalized beauty experiences is growing, with more people seeking unique, non-cookie-cutter permanent makeup and delicate body art. In St. Louis, Inked Beauty Bar is meeting this demand by focusing on t…

Sponsored by Inked Beauty Bar· Sep 2· 6 min
Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Teen Boys at Braveminds Academy

Bipolar Disorder Treatment for Teen Boys at Braveminds Academy

Navigating bipolar disorder and other complex mental health challenges in an adolescent boy can be an overwhelming experience for any family. Braveminds Academy offers a specialized residential treatment program designed…

Sponsored by Braveminds Academy· Aug 31· 6 min
Interior view of a high-tech indoor golf simulator bay at Back Nine Golf, showcasing advanced technology and a sophisticated atmosphere.

Back Nine Golf: Expansion and Local Impact

Back Nine Golf poured $400,000 into its Johnstown indoor simulator location, dedicating half of that investment to just four high-tech bays.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 21· 2 min
New York City street scene with diverse small businesses, symbolizing the distribution of new small business grants.

NYC Mayor announces over $8 million in new small-business grants

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced $8.4 million in small-business grants this week.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 18· 2 min
Weathered New England fishing boats in a harbor at dusk, with a fisherman mending nets, symbolizing the economic challenges facing the industry.

New England fisheries face mounting economic pressures

Amidst the live music, boat parade, and silent auction of a recent New England fundraiser, fishermen and business owners united to spotlight the severe economic challenges threatening their livelihood

Marco Alvarez· Aug 17· 2 min
Children enjoying free activities funded by the Feast event, with a delicious dessert from Shandi's in the background, highlighting community support.

Shandi's helps Feast fund QMG Foundation's free kids' activities

Shandi Long, owner of Shandi's, will create the dessert course for The District's 10th annual Feast in the Heart of Quincy.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 16· 2 min
A lively street scene during Black Restaurant Week in Buffalo, showcasing diverse people enjoying food from Black-owned businesses under celebratory banners.

Black Restaurant Week Western New York Showcases Over 30 Businesses

This year, 33 Black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Buffalo are participating in Black Restaurant Week, a significant increase underscoring a growing community effort to support local culinar

Marco Alvarez· Aug 14· 2 min
A lively street in San Marcos, Texas, showcasing thriving local businesses and community engagement, highlighting economic growth.

Local Businesses Boost Community Growth

In San Marcos, Texas, city officials are advising local businesses to increase supplies, offer game-day specials, and update online presences.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 10· 2 min
Interior view of Jeff's Pizza in Ames, showcasing a lively atmosphere with customers enjoying coffee and a large pizza, emphasizing its community hub status.

Jeff's Pizza thrives in Ames with unique menu and community focus

At Jeff's Pizza in Ames, customers can grab a coffee at 8 AM, tackle a 30-inch pizza challenge in the afternoon, or order a Cordon Chicken specialty pie at 2 AM on a Saturday.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 10· 2 min
A towering corporate skyscraper overshadowing a street of small businesses, symbolizing the vast disparity in economic funding and support.

Small Business Growth: The Disparity in Economic Funding

Eli Lilly's expansion in one state secured $100 million in tax credits, the largest in that state's history.

Marco Alvarez· Aug 2· 5 min
Interior view of a classic American diner with patrons enjoying meals at booths and the counter, conveying a sense of history and community.

New Owners to Take Over Kenosha's Frank's Diner in 2026

After a century of operation, Kenosha's iconic Frank's Diner is transitioning to new ownership in 2026, yet its future remains deeply rooted in familiarity.

Marco Alvarez· Jul 18· 3 min
Graham Sharp, the new owner of Satori Sailing Marblehead, oversees adult students learning about diesel engines and marine electronics.

Graham Sharp becomes new owner of Satori Sailing Marblehead

Satori Sailing Marblehead, a local fixture for adult sailing and powerboat lessons, is set to introduce specialist courses in diesel engines and marine electronics under its new owner, Graham Sharp.

Marco Alvarez· Jul 15· 3 min
Kacy Paide of The Inspired Office demonstrates effective paper organization techniques in a bright, modern home office, highlighting 25 years of expertise.

The Inspired Office offers unique services after 25 years

After 25 years of helping Annapolis residents conquer paper piles, Kacy Paide's The Inspired Office now guides clients across the country to confront the emotional roots of their clutter through virtu

Marco Alvarez· Jul 12· 4 min
Actress Nia Long presents $20,000 Intuit Small Business Hero grants to three diverse local entrepreneurs on a community street.

Intuit Small Business Hero Day awards $20,000 grants to local entrepreneurs.

Actress Nia Long recently joined Intuit's Small Business Hero Program to personally award three local entrepreneurs $20,000 grants, directly investing in community-level economic growth.

Marco Alvarez· Jul 10· 3 min
A visual metaphor of a shrinking pile of gold coins symbolizing the reduced investment capacity of the Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund.

Philadelphia Small Business Fund's Capacity Shrinks to $5M

Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst Fund's investment capacity shrinks to $5 million this year.

Marco Alvarez· Jul 9· 2 min
Auckland's dynamic cityscape at dusk, symbolizing a thriving startup ecosystem and economic growth powered by innovation and collaboration.

Auckland's Startup Ecosystem Boosting Economy in 2026

Auckland's Mayor will wear a different local startup's branded t-shirt every day for 100 days, starting in 2026, a highly visible commitment to local innovation.

Marco Alvarez· Jul 7· 7 min
Split image showing Calgary's tech growth with digital networks and New York City's manufacturing pivot to PPE production.

Innovative Local Startups Reshaping Our City's Economy

Calgary's tech workforce surged by over 61% between 2021 and 2024, while in New York City, a garment manufacturer pivoted to produce essential PPE, securing critical contracts.

Marco Alvarez· Jul 2· 6 min
A small bookstore with a closed sign, juxtaposed against a glowing online shopping interface, symbolizing the clash between local business struggles and consumer e-commerce habits.

Small Business Struggle: Consumer Habits Clash with Economic Policy

Last year, consumers spent $14.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 27· 6 min
A lively marketplace at Kansas City's Union Station filled with local vendors and shoppers during a World Cup event, highlighting community and commerce.

Kansas City small businesses thrive at Union Station World Cup marketplace

Union Station leaders report that 15,000 visitors flocked to the World Cup marketplace in its first five days, creating an immediate boom for Kansas City small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 22· 3 min
New businesses thriving in a town square after the closure of Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse, symbolizing economic renewal and opportunity.

Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse Closure Fuels Regional Business Boom

Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse, a regional staple for 25 years, has closed all 15 locations, leaving 300 employees jobless and local farms without a major buyer.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 19· 3 min
Diverse group of Los Angeles entrepreneurs celebrating business growth and new opportunities amidst a vibrant city backdrop.

Los Angeles sees major business growth, new opportunities emerge

Seventy entrepreneurs in Los Angeles recently received $2,000 each from a $140,000 grant program, according to LA County Awards $140000 in Entrepreneurship Academy Grants to .

Marco Alvarez· Jun 17· 3 min
Cincinnati residents and visitors enjoying a variety of BBQ dishes at local restaurants during Cincinnati BBQ Week, highlighting community and culinary celebration.

Cincinnati BBQ Week highlights local restaurants, aims to drive traffic

For the first time, Cincinnati residents can embark on a dedicated 'barbecue trail' this week, a new feature of an event that also funnels donations to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 8· 4 min
A lively city street during the World Cup, showcasing increased foot traffic and economic activity at local businesses and restaurants.

World Cup 2026 Promises Huge Economic Impact for Local Businesses

Atlanta has already recorded more than 200,000 hotel room nights booked for the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament, indicating a significant influx of visitors.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 7· 5 min
Smartphone screen showing Google Maps with a prompt asking if a review was paid for, highlighting new transparency measures.

Google Maps Prompts Reviewers to Disclose Paid Reviews

A local restaurant owner recently encountered a new prompt on Google Maps asking if their glowing 5-star review was paid, signaling a significant shift in how online endorsements are policed.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 5· 3 min
1+1 Restaurant & Tea's patio transformed into a vibrant community hub, offering both dining and free weekly tutoring services for local students.

1+1 Restaurant & Tea expands community impact with new 2026 offerings

Just last week, 1+1 Restaurant & Tea announced it will convert its back patio into a free weekly tutoring center, a move that surprised many long-time diners expecting only new menu items.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 4· 4 min
Lehigh University campus and Lehigh Valley skyline at dusk, symbolizing economic growth and community integration.

Lehigh University boosts Lehigh Valley impact in 2026

In FY 2023–24, Lehigh University injected an astonishing $376.

Marco Alvarez· May 29· 4 min
Glass Doctor Home+Business technician performing window repairs for a low-income family, highlighting the company's commitment to community support and positive local impact.

Glass Doctor Home+Business Strengthens Community Impact

Last year, Glass Doctor Home+Business's "Clear Vision for Communities" program provided free window repairs for 30 low-income households and donated over $15,000 to local youth sports leagues.

Marco Alvarez· May 29· 3 min
The Assurance Group's modern headquarters, symbolizing its national reach and commitment to community impact and transparency in its 2026 operations.

The Assurance Group: 2026 presence, community impact transparency

While The Assurance Group proudly serves all fifty states and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, specific details of its community investments remain largely out of the public spo

Marco Alvarez· May 20· 3 min
Exterior view of the iconic Chef-O-Nette diner in Upper Arlington, Ohio, illuminated at dusk, symbolizing its new chapter under local ownership.

Upper Arlington Chef-O-Nette Sells to New Owners After Decades

After 69 years, Upper Arlington's iconic Chef-O-Nette diner, a fixture at 2090 Tremont Center, closed its doors for three to four months, sparking community speculation before its surprise reopening u

Marco Alvarez· May 19· 3 min