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Business Spotlights

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

Carpet vs Vinyl vs Hardwood: What’s Best for Ohio Homes?
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Carpet vs Vinyl vs Hardwood: What’s Best for Ohio Homes?

Choosing new flooring is a significant decision for Ohio homeowners, with carpet, vinyl, and hardwood being popular options. This article compares these flooring types to help determine which best suits specific needs, balancing durability, comfort, and value.

Aaron Blake· Apr 27· 4 min
A dynamic cityscape representing Nevada's booming entrepreneurial sector, with elements suggesting both growth and potential underlying economic fragility.

Nevada's Entrepreneurial Boom Faces Hidden Risks, Threatening Economic Health

Forty percent of all businesses currently operating in Nevada were created after the onset of COVID-19, marking an unprecedented entrepreneurial boom.

Marco Alvarez· Apr 14· 3 min
An entrepreneur facing a cityscape of legal documents and permit forms, with a path forward illuminated by sunlight, symbolizing the challenge and clarity of local business regulations.

What Are Local Business Permits and Regulations for Entrepreneurs?

In some cities, a small home-based bakery might require permits from three different municipal departments, each with its own fee structure and inspection schedule, before a single cupcake can be...

Marco Alvarez· Jun 19· 4 min
Young entrepreneur studying a complex map of local, county, and state business permits, symbolizing the challenges of starting a new venture.

What Are 2026 Local Business Permit Requirements for New Entrepreneurs?

In Illinois, a simple Certificate of Registration can be obtained online in two business days.

Marco Alvarez· Jun 9· 4 min
Diverse small business owners collaborating and celebrating success on a vibrant city street, highlighting the benefits of local chamber of commerce membership.

What Are the Functions and Benefits of Local Chambers of Commerce?

A $500 investment in a local Chamber of Commerce membership could generate $5,000 in new business, a tenfold return many small businesses overlook.

Marco Alvarez· May 16· 3 min
Diverse small businesses on a lively neighborhood street, visually connected by a network symbolizing support from local business associations.

How Do Local Business Associations Support Businesses?

In Detroit, 313Strong provided customized coaching and expert connections to small neighborhood businesses struggling with COVID-19's impact, proving a lifeline for many.

Marco Alvarez· May 15· 3 min
An entrepreneur examining a storefront on a city street, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on small business opportunities.

What Are Small Business Zoning Laws and Why Do They Matter?

A seemingly perfect storefront can be an illegal dream for a small business owner if local zoning laws prohibit their specific type of operation.

Marco Alvarez· May 12· 4 min
An entrepreneur looking at a blueprint at a crossroads in Allentown, symbolizing the start of a new business journey.

How to Start a Small Business in [City Name]: A Complete Guide

In Allentown, starting a business in 2026 isn't just about one permit; it's a multi-departmental gauntlet.

Marco Alvarez· May 8· 4 min
Small business owner in a bright office, surrounded by charts and symbols representing tax credits and business growth.

Small Business Tax Credits and Incentives for Growth

A single new hire could qualify your small business for up to $9,600 in tax credits, a benefit many owners don't even know exists.

Marco Alvarez· May 7· 3 min
Diverse entrepreneurs collaborating in a bright, modern co-working space, symbolizing innovation and growth within a business incubator program.

What Are the Benefits of Business Incubators and Accelerators?

Incubated businesses boast a remarkable 70% survival rate post-program, far exceeding the typical odds for new ventures.

Marco Alvarez· May 4· 4 min
A small business owner reviews grant information on a tablet, surrounded by business essentials, symbolizing opportunity and growth through local government funding.

What Are Local Government Grants for Small Businesses?

Illinois alone committed $3 billion in capital grants for businesses as part of a 2020 infrastructure initiative, a sum that could transform countless local enterprises.

Marco Alvarez· Apr 19· 3 min
A neglected municipal golf course at sunset, symbolizing the financial challenges faced by public golf amenities.

Municipal golf courses are losing money, but community value is immense.

Clarksville's municipal golf course faces a year-long closure, not from lack of interest, but because the city council failed to approve basic funding for its irrigation system and greens, even as May

Marco Alvarez· Jun 8· 2 min
A diverse and vibrant city street filled with thriving small businesses, symbolizing economic resilience and community strength.

Small Businesses Are Key to City Resilience in 2026, If Policy Lets Them.

Infrastructure work at the Port of Monroe, completed nearly a decade prior to 2020, proved vital during the global pandemic.

Marco Alvarez· May 6· 2 min