Business Spotlights
Get to know the local businesses that drive our economy and shape our community.
Redwood City's Rent Control Initiative Targets Rent Hikes
In Redwood City, one family faced a staggering $850 rent increase, nearly 45% of their previous rent, sparking a local movement for stringent rent control.
What is the role of local chambers of commerce in supporting small businesses?
Simply joining a local chamber of commerce can increase consumer favorability towards a business by 44% and boost the likelihood of purchase by 63%, according to Allenchamber .
How to Establish and Maintain a Local Business Improvement District
Establishing and maintaining a Business Improvement District (BID) is a strategic approach to revitalize urban commercial corridors and boost local businesses.
How to Support Local Sustainable Businesses: A Complete Guide
In Sonoma County, a local green business certification program helps small businesses not only reduce waste but also increase customer trust and employee retention, directly addressing how to support local sustainable businesses.
Boost Local Business Visibility With Community Events
A small bookstore in Portland saw a 30% increase in foot traffic and a 20% boost in sales after hosting just three community-led author events last year, far outperforming its online ad spend, accordi
What are small business local marketing strategies for 2026?
Forty percent of consumers now actively use generative AI within search, fundamentally altering how local businesses are discovered.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.