Marco Alvarez
Business Reporter
Marco Alvarez is a seasoned business reporter dedicated to showcasing the vibrant tapestry of local commerce. Before joining City & Local, Marco spent several years at the Regional Business Journal, where he earned accolades for his in-depth series on the revitalization of downtown districts. His commitment to uncovering the stories behind the businesses that define our neighborhoods makes him an invaluable asset to the community and a trusted voice for local entrepreneurs.
Expertise
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
JTA approves fare hikes and service cuts, impacting commuters
On February 26, 2026, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Board approved a budget amendment leading to $14.
May 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Lehigh University boosts Lehigh Valley impact in 2026
In FY 2023–24, Lehigh University injected an astonishing $376.
May 29, 2026 · 4 min read
UPMC Children's expands rehabilitation services, enhancing patient care
Starting June 1, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh will integrate rehabilitation therapies in Washington and McMurray, bringing nationally ranked pediatric specialty care directly into local comm
May 29, 2026 · 2 min read
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.
May 29, 2026 · 3 min read
New Revenue Bills Challenge Local Government Funding Models
In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a property tax relief bill into law, capping city and county general revenue growth at 2% annually, with an exception for new construction, Iowa Public Radio repo
May 27, 2026 · 5 min read
How Are Local Government Services Funded in 2026? A Deep Dive
In 2024, federal grants to state and local governments are projected to reach $1.
May 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Burlington Stores reports strong 2026 financials, low wages
Last year, the median part-time associate at Burlington Stores earned just $10,827, according to Business Insider .
May 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Warm Love Cool Dreams Festival Plans 2026 Expansion
The highest scorer at the Warm Love Cool Dreams festival's Skeeball Tournament will walk away with a brand-new air conditioning unit, signaling a new era for the event.
May 25, 2026 · 2 min read
What Are Digital Service Teams in Government and Why Do They Matter?
Despite a 2012 White House directive for agencies to establish digital services governance, a recent tracker only identifies 28 such teams across various governments.
May 20, 2026 · 4 min read
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
May 20, 2026 · 3 min read
Ohio's Delaware County Breaks Ground on New $36M Shared Services Building
While Delaware County Commissioners Jeff Benton and Barb Lewis just broke ground on a $36 million shared services building in Ohio, a separate 'Delaware County' in Pennsylvania is planning a major ret
May 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Federal Cuts Hinder Wildfire Services, Threaten Community Safety
The U.S. Forest Service, tasked with battling increasingly devastating wildfires, saw its workforce shrink by 16% last year. This significant reduction in personnel directly compromises the agency's a
May 19, 2026 · 3 min read
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
May 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Wonder Lake home explosion kills one, injures two
At 7:50 p.m. on Sunday, a quiet evening in Wonder Lake, Illinois, was shattered by a house explosion that killed one person and injured two others. The sudden devastation left the community grappling
May 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Wisconsin rural ambulance services face collapse
More than half of Wisconsin's ambulance agencies, 55%, are currently considering closing their doors, according to journalofethics .
May 18, 2026 · 3 min read
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.
May 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Michigan City Transit suspends services Friday; alternatives offered
Michigan City Transit will halt all services for five hours on Friday, May 13, 2026.
May 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Local businesses face ethical AI adoption costs and unforeseen liabilities.
For Camino Financial, an AI-powered platform slashed customer resolution times from 48 hours to just 6 hours, a dramatic efficiency gain for local businesses.
May 15, 2026 · 4 min read
VA Launches Initiatives to Centralize Veteran Support
In Tennessee, veterans can now access a statewide portal for all their support needs, from housing to healthcare.
May 15, 2026 · 4 min read
New AI Tools Help Small Businesses Overcome Adoption Challenges
Anthropic has launched 'Claude for Small Business,' an AI offering designed to integrate AI into existing software for small and medium-sized businesses.
May 15, 2026 · 3 min read