Safety is big business. An entire industry has formed to help workplaces meet stringent safety requirements and keep their workers healthy. From private consultants to personal protective equipment manufacturers, this industry has an answer to every employer’s safety needs.

Heavy North continues to make headlines. The civil construction business has relocated its headquarters, launched two new companies, and survived a forest fire since Business in Focus profiled the firm for the second time last year. This month, we sat down with the team for a third time and learned the latest news.

Wicker Emporium, also referred to as WE, carries contemporary, modern and rustic solid wood furnishings and home décor of the highest quality. For forty-five years, WE has continued to expand its range of products as it spreads to markets across Canada.

Westcana Electric serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout western Canada. The electrical contractor boasts offices in Calgary, Prince George, Terrace, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, and Fort Nelson, so the team can handle maintenance calls anywhere at any time, day or night.

Located in southwestern West Virginia, Mingo County is in the heart of coal country. In response to the decline of the American coal industry, the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority is forming strategic partnerships and embracing new opportunities to diversify the county’s economic base.

Jefferson County, situated a mere 40-minute drive west of Washington Dulles International Airport, is centrally positioned in the Mid-Atlantic business corridor, and is the only county in West Virginia within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is made up of more than 200 square miles of West Virginia woodlands and cities like Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Shepherdstown, Ranson, and Bolivar. The county is bounded by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Wells County has a reputation as not only a great place to do business but also a marvelous county in the State of Indiana to visit, settle down or raise a family. The county is emerging as a desirable place for companies to locate or expand for reasons from low taxes to outstanding, pro-business, local and state incentives.

DeKalb County, Indiana is named after the revolutionary war hero Johann, Baron de Kalb. The DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership (EDP) has instituted a host of incentives to draw businesses in and increase employment opportunities. Business in Focus spoke with its Executive Director Anton King.

Greater Evansville, in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, is going through a lot of change, and it has been positive. The third-largest city in the state, Evansville is in the midst of increasing its infrastructure capacity with huge projects in its downtown. We spoke with Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville President Ellen Horan and Marketing Communications Manager Abby Elpers.

“There’s a real sense of community here,” says Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance President/CEO Charles Sparks. “People feel like they can really make a difference by getting involved.” With an unemployment rate consistently below five percent and accolades ranging from Industry Week magazine’s “First in the nation in manufacturing presence, productivity and strength” to “Indiana Community of the Year,” the claim checks out.

Hendricks County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Located on the outskirts of Indianapolis, Hendricks offers the economic opportunities of larger cities with a charm that comes from its smaller towns.

The state of Indiana demonstrates how collaborative leadership, a pro-growth environment and an engaged community can contribute to economic vitality and improved quality of life. Strategically located, fiscally sound and dedicated to growth, Indiana is a leader in the Midwest and the nation.

Salina is located in north-central Kansas amidst the Smokey Hills region of the Great Plains. In this region, there are many opportunities for business. The Salina Community Economic Development Organization (SCEDO) is a relatively new organization that works with the local chamber of commerce to further the economic health of Salina with a diverse business culture. Revitalization efforts are underway, and industrial parks are at the ready. Business in Focus spoke with Executive Director Mitch Robinson.

The Leavenworth County Development Corporation (LCDC) is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit focused on the economic development of four communities in Leavenworth County including Leavenworth, Lansing, Basehor and Tonganoxie. It works to recruit new businesses and retain and expand existing businesses. Steve Jack, executive director of the LCDC, believes that Leavenworth County is uniquely situated to attract business to the area.

It is a county with a Wild West past, a well-educated workforce and very fast Internet speeds. Ellis County, Kansas also has a low cost of living, a low crime rate and low unemployment. As one of the leading oil and gas producing counties in the state, Ellis County is eager to expand its economic base.

Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, the beloved American diplomat, scientist, printer and author, Franklin County is one of the most readily accessible counties in the entire State of Kansas. The 572-square-mile county lies right in the heart of the United States transportation corridor and is reachable via road, rail, barge and port, making Franklin County an ideal location for businesses of all sizes to set down roots.

Finney County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC) is fully funded by the county, its two incorporated cities of Garden City and Holcomb and the Garden City Community College. Its goal is to increase the tax base of Finney County by attracting new businesses to the community, helping businesses expand and thrive and creating housing and development opportunities. It works to make the quality of life in the community marketable to the outside world for both new businesses as well as the employee base needed to support the businesses in the area.

The City of Wildwood, with a population of approximately 36,000, at 68 square miles is the largest city in area size in St. Louis County and the third largest in the State of Missouri. Positioned at the foothills to the Ozarks, it’s known for its stunning physical landscapes and rich quality of life.

The St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is home to strong, vibrant communities that offer a quality of life that would not be possible without the collaborative approach that has been taken to secure economic growth and social development. Thinking and acting regionally has been the secret to its success.

The Site Selectors Guild is bringing an up-and-coming profession to the forefront. Founded just seven years ago, the guild is the first and only association to represent the world’s leading site selection consultants. These consultants are committed to helping client companies find the ideal site for every industry, sector, and function.