Local Economy

30 articles

Community members working on a public infrastructure project in Siouxland, with a Premier Pools installation visible, symbolizing economic growth and community development.
Business Spotlights

Premier Pools Siouxland boosts local economy with business spotlight

Premier Pools Siouxland recently announced a $500,000 investment into local infrastructure projects, a sum that far exceeds typical business contributions and marks the largest single private donation

Marco Alvarez·June 28, 2026
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.
Business Spotlights

Small Business Struggle: Consumer Habits Clash with Economic Policy

Last year, consumers spent $14.

Marco Alvarez·June 27, 2026
A lively marketplace at Kansas City's Union Station filled with local vendors and shoppers during a World Cup event, highlighting community and commerce.
Business Spotlights

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·June 22, 2026
A former beloved local bakery replaced by a generic chain coffee shop, symbolizing the loss of community identity due to tourism.
Community

Tourism's Hidden Cost: How It's Erasing Your Town's Identity

Despite town officials' assurances that a surge in visitors ultimately supports local businesses, the 75-year-old 'Corner Bakery,' a cherished community staple, was replaced last month by a chain coff

Sophie Nguyen·June 20, 2026
Lehigh University campus and Lehigh Valley skyline at dusk, symbolizing economic growth and community integration.
Business Spotlights

Lehigh University boosts Lehigh Valley impact in 2026

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

Marco Alvarez·May 29, 2026
Diverse small business owners collaborating and celebrating success on a vibrant city street, highlighting the benefits of local chamber of commerce membership.
Business Spotlights

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, 2026
A vibrant small town main street bustling with activity, symbolizing local growth, contrasted with a distant, less populated city skyline.
Neighborhoods

Remote work's 'donut effect' empties city cores, boosting local growth

Even rural areas that shrank in population between 2010 and 2019 are now growing.

Derek Molina·May 15, 2026
A local tour guide engaging a group of tourists in a historic city square, sharing cultural insights amidst ancient architecture.
Local Guides

What Is the Role of Local Tour Guides in Culture and Tourism?

Tour guides are masters at presenting their 'glocalized' lives as a distinctive local experience, perfectly tailored for international visitors.

Hannah Pierce·May 15, 2026
Diverse group of people walking and enjoying a vibrant, green, and architecturally rich urban street, showcasing the benefits of walkability.
Neighborhoods

What Are the Benefits of Walkability in Urban Planning?

While a new park might seem like a simple amenity, it can quietly add millions to nearby commercial property values.

Derek Molina·May 11, 2026
A lively town square showcasing thriving local businesses and community members, with leaders collaborating to foster economic growth and development.
Business Spotlights

What is the role of local business associations in community development?

For every dollar spent at a local independent business, 48 cents is recirculated directly back into the local economy.

Marco Alvarez·May 3, 2026
Diverse community members participating in a skill-sharing workshop, demonstrating collaboration and resource exchange in a local setting.
Community

Local skill sharing networks are quietly surging in 2026

In one Seattle neighborhood, a tool library saved residents an estimated $50,000 in equipment purchases annually, according to the Seattle Times.

Derek Molina·May 3, 2026
A vibrant Midwest Main Street with historic buildings and diverse shops, juxtaposed with a subtle 'For Lease' sign indicating economic pressures.
Best in City

Midwest Main Streets: Thriving But Facing Challenges

In Galena, Illinois, a beloved family bakery, a Main Street fixture for 70 years, recently shut its doors.

Hannah Pierce·May 2, 2026
Scenic view of Kosciusko County lakes with visitors enjoying activities, illustrating the significant economic impact of tourism.
Local Guides

Kosciusko County tourism generated $95.8M economic impact

In 2025, Kosciusko County, famous for its serene lakes, welcomed 2 million visitors.

Hannah Pierce·May 2, 2026
The exterior of a performing arts center in San Diego, with an empty stage visible through a window, under a darkening sky.
Community

San Diego's Arts Funding Cuts Threaten Community Fabric and Local Economy

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has proposed eliminating all city funding for local arts and culture organizations, reducing a $13.

Sophie Nguyen·April 29, 2026
A diverse group of people happily shopping for fresh, colorful produce at a sunny, bustling local farmers market.
Local Guides

What Are the Benefits of Supporting Local Farmers Markets?

Buying local keeps approximately 65% of your dollar circulating within the community, a stark contrast to 40% retained when shopping at large chain stores, according to USU Extension .

Derek Molina·April 29, 2026
A city street with small businesses, highlighting the potential impact of large upcoming events on local commerce.
Community

City events in 2026 could cripple small businesses without better planning.

The 2006 German World Cup generated 2.

Derek Molina·April 28, 2026
A split visual contrasting a bustling co-working space with a displaced local business, illustrating the dual impact of co-working on urban environments.
Business Spotlights

Co-working Spaces Spur Entrepreneurship, Yet Fuel Urban Gentrification

In downtown Austin, a single co-working campus now houses more startups than existed in the entire city's tech scene a decade ago, fundamentally reshaping local commerce.

Marco Alvarez·April 24, 2026
A lively farmers market with abundant local produce and smiling community members, showcasing sustainable food systems and local engagement.
Business Spotlights

7 Local Eco-Friendly Initiatives for 2026

At Eugene's Red Barn Farmers Market, over 70% of vendors source produce within a 50-mile radius, demonstrating a powerful local shift towards sustainable food systems.

Marco Alvarez·April 24, 2026
A bustling farmers market with fresh produce, showcasing community interaction and local economic vitality.
Food & Drink

What Are CSAs and Why Do They Matter for Local Economies?

For every dollar a farmer earns at a local market, nearly fifty cents more flows into nearby businesses, demonstrating the outsized economic ripple effect of choosing local produce and goods.

Sophie Nguyen·April 24, 2026
A neighborhood with houses under a sky showing a sharp increase in interest rates, symbolizing the impact on the local housing market.
Real Estate

How Interest Rate Hikes Impact Local Housing Markets in 2026

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage swung from just under 6% in late February to 6.

Aaron Blake·April 23, 2026
A lively street scene with people enjoying outdoor dining at various restaurants during a local Restaurant Week, showcasing community and economic vibrancy.
Food & Drink

Local Restaurant Weeks Boost Economies and Community Spirit

Fremont's fourth annual Restaurant Week recently featured an impressive 70 eateries, showcasing the widespread adoption and scale of these local dining initiatives.

Hannah Pierce·April 10, 2026
The Studio by PGH Candle storefront in Downtown Pittsburgh, showcasing a lively pop-up shop environment during a period of economic revitalization.
Business Spotlights

Pop-Up Shops Reshape Small Business: The Studio Opens Downtown

This week, The Studio by PGH Candle opened its doors in Downtown Pittsburgh, one of nine new storefronts backed by a local partnership.

Marco Alvarez·April 10, 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 bustling main street at golden hour, showcasing diverse people interacting happily outside independent shops, cafes, and a bookstore, symbolizing a vibrant local economy and strong community.
Community

Why Supporting Local Businesses Is the Only Way to Secure Our Community's Future

Supporting local businesses is more than a feel-good gesture; it's the most critical investment for a resilient local economy and a unique community identity.

Derek Molina·April 7, 2026
Students and educators collaborating in a bright, modern learning center, symbolizing Beck Professional Services' impact on Henrico's education and local economy.
Business Spotlights

Beck Professional Services Henrico Boosts Education and Local Economy

Beck Professional Services in Henrico is making waves with its innovative approach to mathematics education, earning recognition in the Henrico Small Business Spotlight. This local enterprise not only empowers students but also significantly contributes to the community's economy.

Marco Alvarez·April 7, 2026
A lively local spring festival scene with diverse people enjoying food, music, and community interaction under warm sunlight, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere.
Events

Why Local Spring Festivals Are the Lifeblood Our Community Desperately Needs

Our local spring festivals are much more than just a fun way to spend a Saturday. They are the essential lifeblood of our community, rebuilding our social bonds and fueling our local economy.

Sophie Nguyen·April 4, 2026
A vibrant image of Shanty's Boutique, a local business in Newport, Washington, featuring a friendly owner and customers, symbolizing the KREM and STCU 'Love Local Spotlight' initiative.
Business Spotlights

KREM and STCU Launch 'Love Local Spotlight' Initiative for Businesses

KREM and STCU have partnered to launch "Love Local Spotlight," an initiative designed to highlight established small businesses in the community. Shanty's Boutique in Newport, Washington, was the first business featured, showcasing its 15+ years of operation.

Marco Alvarez·April 4, 2026
A cozy, sunlit independent bookstore and coffee shop bustling with diverse patrons reading, working on laptops, and enjoying coffee, showcasing a vibrant community hub.
Business Spotlights

The Community Chapter: How Independent Local Bookstores and Coffee Shops Are Thriving

Independent local bookstores and coffee shops are flourishing, transforming into vibrant community hubs that offer more than just retail. They represent a fundamental shift in what consumers seek: tangible connection and authentic local experiences.

Marco Alvarez·April 4, 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
A lively street scene with diverse people shopping and interacting at various local businesses like a bakery, bookstore, and cafe, under warm sunlight.
Business Spotlights

Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters: Benefits, Challenges, and Economic Impact

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally, creating two out of every three new jobs. This article explores the tangible economic benefits, real-world challenges, and broader community impacts of choosing local.

Marco Alvarez·April 2, 2026