Economic Growth

23 articles

Diverse crowd enjoying Sista Soul Fest 2026 at Evelyn K. Davis Park, with local vendors and family activities.
Business Spotlights

Sista Soul Fest 2026 Boosts Local Businesses with New Engagement Initiatives

On August 30th, Des Moines' Evelyn K.

Marco Alvarez·August 23, 2026
Diverse crowd enjoying a vibrant outdoor festival with colorful banners, food stalls, and live music, symbolizing community spirit and engagement.
Food & Drink

What Is the Role of Local Festivals in Community Support?

In Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon Race Weekend was rated the top Community Event in October 2020, according to extension.

Sophie Nguyen·August 22, 2026
Aerial view of Frisco, Texas, showcasing a modern skyline with numerous new residential and commercial developments, highlighting its status as a top real estate market.
Best in City

Frisco, Texas Tops WalletHub's 2026 Best Real Estate Markets List

Nearly half of all homes in Frisco, Texas, were built in the last 14 years, propelling it to the No.

Aaron Blake·August 20, 2026
A glowing seedling emerging from a modern building in a cityscape, symbolizing business incubators fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Business Spotlights

What is the role of business incubators in entrepreneurship and economic growth?

In South Africa, nearly 90% of new businesses fail within their first two years, according to Abacademies .

Marco Alvarez·August 15, 2026
Diverse small business owners and a city official collaborating on a bustling city street, symbolizing economic growth and local government support.
Business Spotlights

What are local government small business initiatives for economic growth?

In Ohio, a small business seeking a GrowNOW loan must operate with fewer than 150 employees, maintain Ohio offices, and commit to creating or saving one full-time job for every $50,000 borrowed.

Marco Alvarez·August 12, 2026
Diverse group of local business owners in Maple Ridge celebrating success, with the city skyline in the background, symbolizing economic growth and innovation.
Business Spotlights

Maple Ridge Innovation Challenge Fuels Local Business Growth

In Maple Ridge, local businesses are competing for $10,000 prizes in an Innovation Challenge, highlighting how cities are directly fueling entrepreneurial growth.

Marco Alvarez·August 1, 2026
A modern, sunlit co-working space buzzing with activity, symbolizing economic growth but hinting at underlying recessionary risks.
Business Spotlights

Co-working Spaces Drive Growth, But Face Downturn Vulnerability

Despite the measurable, multi-million dollar economic footprint co-working spaces imprint on urban landscapes, the entire industry's ability to weather the next recession is an open question.

Marco Alvarez·July 17, 2026
Diverse community members enjoying a lively local festival, showcasing vibrant stalls, live music, and a strong sense of togetherness and economic buzz.
Events

What Is Community Engagement and How Can Local Events Boost It?

A single local festival can directly stimulate tourism and business growth across an entire region, transforming community fun into a tangible economic boom.

Sophie Nguyen·June 25, 2026
Diverse Hawaiian local businesses, including tech startups and manufacturing facilities, flourishing with community support and investment.
Business Spotlights

Hawaii Invests in Local Businesses for Economic Growth

In FY26 alone, the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) awarded over $865,000 to 26 companies through its Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP), according to Maui Now .

Marco Alvarez·June 21, 2026
A lively community event in Meeker, Colorado, with residents of all ages participating in activities and enjoying local stalls under sunny skies.
Events

June 2026 Sees Strong Local Participation in Community Events

In Meeker, Colorado, young entrepreneurs will hawk their wares at the 5th annual Kids in Business Day on June 26, marking just one of dozens of hyper-local events signaling a vibrant return to communi

Sophie Nguyen·June 19, 2026
Modern data center facility in Ohio with a city skyline in the background at dusk, symbolizing economic growth and technological investment.
Best in City

Ohio's New Rankings: Affordable Cities and Growth

A $1.3 billion Vultr data center is coming online in Springfield, Ohio, a city just ranked fifth most affordable in the state, signaling a quiet economic boom in unexpected places. This massive high-t

Derek Molina·June 18, 2026
Downtown Jacksonville street scene at dusk, showing a mix of new development and existing neighborhoods, with residents experiencing the impact of growth.
Real Estate

Local Tourism Boom Fuels Real Estate Growth, Straining Neighborhoods

Downtown Jacksonville's residential population reached 9,228 in 2025, marking a 97% increase since 2016, a period of significant expansion.

Aaron Blake·May 3, 2026
Split image: a thriving small business storefront contrasted with a symbolic representation of capital access challenges in Charlotte County.
Business Spotlights

Charlotte Small Business: Successes and Capital Challenges

Charlotte County's small businesses show entrepreneurial success amidst significant capital access challenges.

Marco Alvarez·April 25, 2026
A colorful and expansive public mural in Clearwater, showcasing local scenes and people, illuminated by the setting sun.
Community

Clearwater's Public Art: Policy, Partnerships, and Vision

Chicago's Greetings Tour mural isn't just art; it's the city's #1 most photographed and top-reviewed mural, according to Greetings Tour .

Derek Molina·April 22, 2026
St. George, Utah cityscape with entrepreneurs collaborating, highlighting short commutes and business growth opportunities amidst scenic mountain views.
Best in City

St. George Offers Businesses Short 17-Minute Commutes

Between 2017 and 2023, the number of small businesses in St.

Marco Alvarez·April 20, 2026
Split image of Houston showcasing its economic prosperity and cultural vibrancy alongside its challenges of traffic congestion and air pollution.
Best in City

Houston ranked No 1 city amid growth and sustainability challenges

Despite being crowned 'America's Best City' by a prominent national publication, Houston's daily commuters still lose an average of 30 minutes to traffic congestion.

Hannah Pierce·April 14, 2026
A dynamic cityscape representing Nevada's booming entrepreneurial sector, with elements suggesting both growth and potential underlying economic fragility.
Business Spotlights

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·April 14, 2026
Travelers participating in sustainable tourism, restoring coral reefs and enjoying local farm produce, symbolizing community-led conservation and economic growth.
Local Guides

The Rise of Sustainable Tourism: How Local Initiatives are Transforming Travel and Driving Economic Growth

A fundamental shift is underway in travel, where community-led conservation is becoming the engine of a new, more resilient tourism economy.

Derek Molina·April 9, 2026
Diverse local business owners collaborating on a vibrant main street, symbolizing community development and economic growth fostered by business associations.
Business Spotlights

Understanding the Role of Local Business Associations: A Guide to Their Impact on Community Development and Economic Growth

Local business associations are vital for community development and economic growth, uniting businesses to amplify their impact. Learn how these organizations foster prosperity and strengthen local economies.

Marco Alvarez·April 9, 2026
A diverse community gathers around a striking modern public sculpture in a bustling city square at sunset, illustrating the positive impact of art on urban life.
Community

Public Art Isn't a Luxury; It's a Smart Investment for Our Community's Future

Public art is not a luxury but a critical strategy for community engagement, cultural identity, and economic growth. Learn how strategic investment in art builds a more resilient and vibrant city.

Derek Molina·April 5, 2026
A vibrant public mural depicting a jazz trio on a brick wall in a bustling city street, with diverse pedestrians admiring the artwork, symbolizing community identity and economic vibrancy.
Community

To Thrive, Our City Must Invest in Public Arts Programs Now

Our local government must increase its investment in public arts programs. They are the lifeblood of our community’s identity, the engine of our economic vibrancy, and the foundation for our future.

Sophie Nguyen·April 3, 2026
A bustling, well-maintained city street at dusk, featuring diverse businesses, pedestrians, and decorative lighting, symbolizing a successful Business Improvement District's impact on urban revitalization and economic prosperity.
Business Spotlights

What Is a Business Improvement District? A Guide to Establishing and Managing Local Revitalization Efforts

Discover how Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) empower local stakeholders to enhance commercial corridors. This guide explains their formation, management, and impact on community development and economic growth.

Marco Alvarez·April 2, 2026
Aerial view of Huntsville, Alabama, featuring its modern downtown skyline, green parks, and advanced technology buildings, symbolizing its recognition as America's best place to live.
Best in City

Huntsville Alabama Named America's Best Place to Live for 2026

Big news for the Rocket City! Find out why Huntsville, Alabama was just named the No. 1 place to live in the entire country.

Hannah Pierce·April 2, 2026