With European origins tracing back to the 13^th century, casinos have evolved significantly from their humble beginnings in the private apartments of Venetian nobles. These early “casini” were discreet spaces for both social gatherings and gambling, a practice typical of the maritime Republic at the time. Wealthy British youths on their 17^th and 18^th-century Grand Tours described these establishments as hotbeds of secret rendezvous and social maneuvering. In a city where discretion was paramount—except concerning the ruling government—the elite amassed significant debts in exotic coffee houses, their identities masked and anonymous.

In Anna Miller’s 1777 Letters from Italy, she describes the casinos as “small houses of one or two rooms on a floor… It is the fashion here for every person of distinction to have one casino at least, and very frequently more: they have little pleasure in inhabiting their palaces, which are really uncomfortable, and by the plans and dimensions rendered extremely melancholy.” This firsthand account highlights why these small social hubs attracted patrons and why they have endured.

In contrast to the exclusive circles of the past, modern commercial casinos reflect the sophistication of today’s middle-class society. While socializing remains a key attraction, the motivations have become more subdued compared to earlier eras. With amenities like restaurants, spas, and swimming pools, contemporary casinos offer a luxurious experience, arguably drawing more parallels to ancient Roman bathhouse complexes than to the intimate Venetian party houses of old.

Beyond mere entertainment for the elite, today’s casinos play a crucial role in the economic independence of many communities. Casinos are significant employers in both the U.S. and Canada, offering a wide range of job opportunities, from dealers to hospitality staff, security personnel, and back-end operations. Casinos also create myriad indirect jobs, boosting local economies by increasing demand for services in areas such as transportation, retail, and food and beverages.

Certainly, casinos also play a pivotal role in the tourism sector. “Iconic establishments such as Casino Niagara, Casino de Montréal, and River Rock Casino Resort attract millions of visitors each year,” the Montreal Guardian reports. “These visitors not only spend money at the casinos but also contribute to the local economy by staying in hotels, dining at restaurants, and shopping in local stores. Events and entertainment shows hosted by casinos further enhance their appeal as tourist destinations, drawing international visitors and boosting local tourism revenues.”

This is particularly evident in the number of casinos owned by First Nations. The Snuneymuxw First Nation’s development division, for instance, recently invested in Richmond, British Columbia’s River Rock Casino, the largest of its kind in the region. This business model demonstrates strong potential for long-term returns, which can be reinvested into youth programs and community development. CBC News reported that eight casinos in the vicinity were sold to First Nations groups, with the Snuneymuxw acquiring five. Among these, the transactions for Elements Casino Victoria and Casino Nanaimo are reportedly complete.

Casinos provide First Nations with economic freedom and self-reliance, improving opportunities for future generations in ways previously unimaginable. According to Yale Belanger, a political science professor at the University of Lethbridge, casinos represent significant long-term economic power for these communities, especially given existing political and regulatory constraints. “The Indian Act still has an incredible level of influence over how a local community is able to develop,” Belanger told CBC. “It involves the government getting involved; it drags out processes that can ultimately deter investors from sinking money into projects.” First Nations often face challenges establishing casinos on reservations; thus, acquiring existing businesses allows them to overcome bureaucratic hurdles.

Despite predictions of online gambling capturing a significant market share, the economic outlook for brick-and-mortar casinos remains positive. The Snuneymuxw Nation’s ownership of five casinos illustrates this. Projected 2024/2025 total revenues include approximately $251,974,000 for River Rock Casino Resort, $140,506,000 for Great Canadian in Vancouver, $80,852,000 for Elements Victoria, $43,614,000 for Nanaimo, and $29,849,000 for Chances Maple Ridge. These figures underscore why casino ownership is a robust strategy for Nations seeking to build better futures after centuries of disenfranchisement.

The Globe and Mail reported another significant acquisition on March 30^th of this year. Pure Casino Entertainment LP made a $282-million offer to purchase GameHost Inc., a publicly traded company with a substantial gaming and hospitality portfolio. This acquisition is partially funded by the $200-million sale of four Alberta properties to an American firm, with the ownership linked to Nova Scotia-based First Nations: Annapolis Valley First Nation, Millbrook First Nation, Glooscap First Nation, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, and We’koqma’q L’nue’kati.

The earnings generated by these enterprises have yielded widespread benefits. This year alone, the Cherokee Nation in the United States gifted $7.26 million to 107 school districts. Similarly, communities in Saskatchewan can access grants from casino profits for social, senior, cultural, and other local development initiatives.

While gambling has presented challenges, including struggles for smaller rural casinos and concerns about addiction, the Canadian government is actively reevaluating First Nations gaming rights. In February, The Honourable Tracy Muggli, Senator from Saskatchewan, considered Bill S-241, introduced by Senator Scott Tannas. This bill proposes amending the Criminal Code and the Indian Act, aligning with Call to Action 92 from Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The final outcomes remain uncertain. Nevertheless, First Nations casinos have become an integral part of the Canadian entertainment landscape.

Though a far cry from their origins in 17^th-century Venice, these businesses now contribute significantly to the country’s economy and entertainment landscape. More importantly, their evolution reflects a broader shift in purpose, from exclusive enclaves of leisure and secrecy to dynamic engines of opportunity, investment, and cultural renewal. For many First Nations, in particular, casino ownership represents not just financial gain but a pathway toward greater autonomy, resilience, and long-term community well-being. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and the balance between digital and in-person gaming finds its footing, brick-and-mortar casinos appear poised to remain relevant, grounded not only in their rich history but in their capacity to adapt and deliver meaningful benefits to their communities.

The post Winning Big<p class="company">Casinos’ Historic Origins and Modern Impacts</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Cross-county collaboration, administrative efficiency, and attractive tax abatements all make Trumbull County a desirable location for new businesses and legacy names looking to relocate to an affordable, business-friendly environment.

Thanks to outstanding accessibility, quality infrastructure, and a well-respected workforce, Trumbull County has paved the way for continued robust industrial expansion. As one of the area’s most active growth acceleration drivers, the Trumbull County Planning Commission collaborates with a host of partners to build positive change and prosperity.

With the Mahoning River as the life-giving force of this freshly up-and-coming region in Northeast Ohio, Trumbull County’s population is well supported by the bounty of nature. Statistics showed around 202,000 residents in 2020, with an estimated 27,000 children of school-going age spread across the 22 school districts of 24 townships, five cities, and six villages. To ensure that children have the futures they dream of, the quality of education is maintained under the watchful eye of the Trumbull County Educational Service Center. And thanks to concerted efforts to regenerate good future prospects, the population has seen its first growth since the 1970s over the past two years.

But not all the county’s arrivals are new. Many are folks who are returning to their home county after leaving as youngsters in search of better prospects. A part of the Youngstown–Warren OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, it is common to see familiar faces who left years ago coming home to share in the success of a county that is overcoming past economic hardships one new venture at a time.

Regardless of economic tides, Trumbull County has always been rich in natural resources. Thanks to significant iron ore and coal deposits, and despite an industry crash in the late 1970s, this remains steel country. As such, the county has played an important role in the national gross domestic product through its presence in the automotive industry.

Trumbull County was part of the Connecticut Western Reserve with Warren, Ohio, the County seat, being the Historic Capital of the Western Reserve. The county’s steel industry played a pivotal role in America’s national war efforts during World War II. “We were one of the largest steel manufacturing areas in the world and supported the war effort,” Coggins says.

Back then, the resulting industrial soot that settled on everything from trees to porches became known as “pay dirt” in recognition of the economic security the money earned from steel afforded the county and its people. Its glory days continued until the sense of security ended abruptly on Black Monday, a historic day, September 19,1977, when many factories went out of business, ending staff contracts and long legacies.

The economic hardship that followed is remembered to this day, with statistics showing up to seven people per day leaving the Mahoning Valley as recently as a decade ago. Despite this dark time in the county’s history, its steel industry remains strong now with big names like Liberty Steel Industries, Vallourec, Youngstown Steel, Youngstown Tube, Wheatland Tube, and others forming the backbone of its reviving economy.

The county’s successful revitalization efforts include welcoming new businesses to the region while further developing the workforce. It is also transforming brownfield properties into viable income generators with the support of JobsOhio and Lake to River. Together, the partners also develop bespoke incentives for new and existing businesses, driving prosperity and building the population.

There are also zoning-related tax incentives that businesses investing in improvements can benefit from. Moreover, in an effort to improve capital expenditure burdens for investors, qualifying newly built commercial and industrial structures stand to garner tax abatements spread over a decade. “Tax increment financing is specifically done when you have infrastructure needs,” Coggins confirms.

Other partners include, but are not limited to, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Trumbull Couty Land Bank, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, the Board of Trumbull County Commissioners, the Western Reserve Port Authority, and the Business Resource Network, a job and family services coalition supporting new arrivals and existing businesses in procuring staff and resources while providing expansion support. In the process, professional teams from different agencies and departments partner to identify and secure the funding necessary to clean and restore brownfields that formerly housed steel mills and other high-impact industrial businesses.

Trumbull County’s affordable housing market and the quality of life provided by its ample amenities like beautiful parks and trails mean that some residents choose to live here while working in nearby counties. To accommodate everyone, “Our office actively goes after community development block grant funds and works with our land banks to try to improve our housing stock,” Coggins says.

The county’s tourism office is equally motivated, bringing new visitors into the area who often become residents. “We want to make this a place where people not only come to get a paycheck, but they want to live, they want to stay, and they want to bring their families. Our tourism bureau does a fantastic job putting out marketing material to attract people not just to visit, but to visit and then find a reason to stay,” he adds.

Beyond good schools and affordability, another of Trumbull County’s greatest draws is the number of authentic dining experiences the region offers. From Arabic food to its Italian Food Trail, the place is packed with genuinely good food cooked by restaurateurs from a range of nations.

Other innovative businesses have made a name for themselves as local landmarks. One of these is Past Times Arcade in Girard, which opened in a former grocery store. This open-range, all-day gaming arcade, with over 600 pinball machines, offers 1,041 games from across the decades at around a $20 entrance fee for unlimited fun—an achievement that landed it in the Guinness Book of World Records. It has proven to be a national favorite with visitors arriving from across the country. Past Times has proven so popular with young and old alike, it will celebrate its third anniversary on June 1^st this year.

Significant investments have also been made in developing the Museum of Science Fiction & Fantasy Arts (MoSFA) in Warren. The museum was co-founded by John Zabrucky, a Hollywood prop master who decided to make his collection of more than 500 original high-tech props accessible to the public when he returned to his hometown. The museum is being established in partnership with the Trumbull County Historical Society.

Community development efforts are also proving fruitful with the arrival of new employers. Among these, the county recently welcomed a data center manufacturing plant and a 592,000-square-foot Kimberly-Clark distribution center, an enterprise that could soon employ up to 500 people. Investments are also being made in climate protection with economic development incentives secured by Trumbull County Planning Commission. TJX’s HomeGoods also recently brought more than 1,500 new jobs to the region.

Then there is Foxconn EV System LLC, which took over GM’s former Lordstown fabrication complex, hailing back to the days of Packard, an automobile fabricator that operated from 1899 to 1956. Despite GM’s replacing Packard many decades ago, the county still pays homage to its pioneer fabricator at the National Packard Museum in Warren. Intricately intertwined with the Trumbull community, GM leaves deep footprints in the collective memory. Having indicated plans for creating a considerable number of new jobs, Foxconn is likely to expand the facility’s existing footprint.

As planning professionals, Coggins and his team are well-versed in assisting developers across the county in easing legal and municipal processes, as each township, city, and village has a unique set of laws and rules to abide by. “We’re familiar with those people and we actively attend our township trustees’ associations, our city mayor’s association,” says Coggins. “They know us, and we can work with them and help ease that transition.”

Cross-entity collaboration does not end here. Trumbull County is known for its townships’ partnering with cities for the purpose of economic development. The resulting capital improvement plans are typically run on money from taxes paid by local investors in economic development districts, instead of being funneled into general city funds. “The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) focuses on property tax, while the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) is derived from income tax. It makes sites more attractive, because now we have this improvement plan, and the taxes that you’re paying anyway are going to pay for major improvements needed for your facilities,” Coggins explains.

Enabled by the Ohio Revised Code, the system appears to be most popular in the state’s south around Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton. “We’ve started using it to try to help our development, help our growth, because it’s been successful in the south.” By using the income tax from local labor, such areas can provide large businesses like Kimberly-Clark with quality infrastructure. “We are already looking at improving multiple roads, and that facility hasn’t even opened yet. We’re just using the income tax dollars from the construction workers,” Coggins continues.

Trumbull County’s efforts are a proud continuation of the county’s industrial legacy. Its busiest industrial area, the Golden Triangle Industrial Area, was a result of the industrial revolution and the area’s powerful steel and manufacturing capabilities. The area has been evolving since the 1900s—organically and out of necessity. Today, Golden Triangle offers what Coggins refers to as “the largest primary metal manufacturing subsector in the state of Ohio.” As a result, it still offers well-paying employment despite historic setbacks.

The natural outcome of these extensive reinvigoration strategies is an improving housing market, with new development breathing life into an area where homes are typically older. Four new developments by the same company have seen new lots in individual development complexes become available for purchase in Girard and Niles, while three more developers are also doing business here. Another project is entirely sold out in Howland Township, while a sister project in Liberty Township is halfway sold. With grant money awarded by the state and the Housing and Urban Development Authority, new infrastructure is being installed for each new residential settlement.

Securing $15.5 million in grant funds for industrial, urban, and community regeneration, site and infrastructure improvements, and low-cost housing between 2020 and 2023, this formidable team of seven, working alongside partners like the Port Authority (which provides capital leases), JobsOhio (which provides funds from the state), the regional council of governments, and others, continues to fight the good fight. And, as it scouts for more supply chain partners and other operators to settle here as tourism also expands, the Trumbull County Planning Commission’s message is clear.

As Coggins says, “Trumbull County is open for business. We have a team of professionals that is going to find you whatever we can to make your projects move forward.”

The post Steel Roots, New Horizons<p class="company">Trumbull County Planning Commission</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Out of Michigan’s 1,240 townships and 275 cities, Canton ranks as the ninth-largest municipality and second-largest township. Canton Township Supervisor, Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, explains that as Canton has around 100,000 residents, it is ranked as a township, and so its municipality provides the level of service one would expect from a large metropolitan area. That includes having independent and fully-fledged fire and police departments, while maintaining a township management structure where a supervisor replaces the position of mayor, supported by a treasurer, clerk, and trustees, rather than councilors, as one would typically see in the management structures of cities.

Canton’s biggest employers are the healthcare and automotive industries, which support a thriving middle class keeping three school districts alive and growing. With an annual median income of $107,000, the township outperforms national averages on a number of statistics, including its below-average unemployment rate. While many businesses and industries drive its prosperity, Ford remains one of its greatest anchors, both economically and socially.

The Township’s strong Chamber of Commerce also contributes to its robust workforce and favorable business conditions, especially as the Chamber supports local municipal leaders in keeping community ties and the economy strong. In terms of its economic strengths, Canton is also easily accessible from other parts of the country via I-275 and is just 15 minutes from Detroit Metro Airport.

Many companies have headquarters based here, including Yazaki, NxLite, Professional Pump, voxeljet America, and E-XTEQ USA; however, many Canton residents work in downtown Detroit due to its proximity. As industrial outfits and the retail sector continue growing, local authorities are collaborating with the South Michigan Transit Authority (SMART) to extend the public transportation infrastructure to facilitate Canton’s residents, visitors, and employees.

Canton is also known for its hospitality and welcoming attitude toward all, especially those in need of protection. To this end, it is proactive in ensuring everyone has food on the table through its local food banks, and city officials don’t hesitate to present their cases at a higher level when necessary to secure grant funding for important causes such as creating care facilities for abused children. Local businesses—especially restaurants—are also well-known for their philanthropy.

Thanks to its demographic mix, Canton’s food scene could, quite fairly, be compared to a foodie paradise, but that is not the only aspect that makes this township different. It also hosts a popular annual LGBTQ pride festival and takes special care of the wellbeing of its youth by keeping them meaningfully engaged in healthy activities and projects. Canton’s parks and recreation department, for instance, hires around 200 high school students annually—all of whom are mentored and trained in maintenance and other useful skills, while contributing to their community.

Naturally, children in Canton learn about diversity from a young age, with 6,300 children speaking a combined 66 languages and dialects. This is a place where hospitality and progressive values are more than taglines. Instead, local government has made it an official mandate for its teams to familiarize themselves with the customs and cultural norms that should be considered and respected when engaging with locals from the many faiths and cultures represented here.

Canton’s sense of inclusion is the result of a 20-year commitment toward consciously facilitating meaningful change. “When you look at the rest of the world and all of the issues that are happening between some of these faiths or cultures, I think Canton is like a model to show how we can all live together in peace and how we should live together in peace,” Graham-Hudak says. To mark this achievement, three years ago a peace pole was installed exemplifying Canton’s mission, with ‘Peace on Earth’ in 13 of its major languages written on it.

Indeed, its absolute freedom of faith is one of the area’s most appealing features as Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, and many other faiths are represented and supported by one another here. One example is an innovative new bakery in Cherry Hill Village, SAJ, home to delectable Lebanese fare, which serves customers until 3 a.m. to accommodate those observing Ramadan. “The owner, Hussein Siblini, does such a nice job, and it’s a beautiful store. He spared no expense on the finishes,” says Jon LaFever, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Services.

Despite its size, Canton has never really had a downtown area. However, Canton has a vibrant Ford Road District, a 3-mile commercial area maintained by the Downtown Development Authority, where statisticians have identified traffic from as many as 30,000 vehicles per hour across 22 intersections. It is not surprising, then, that nearly every large chain and restaurant imaginable, including Swedish furniture giant IKEA, can be found here. Interestingly, this same store has brought with it an unexpected destination element that Canton is only too pleased with.

The township also enjoys the annual Liberty Fest, which sees thousands of visitors each summer and boasts carnival rides, midway games, live entertainment, marketplace vendors, a food truck rally, the annual Liberty Run, and more. Liberty Fest this year will be held on June 18, 19, and 20 in Heritage Park.

As Ford Road feeds into Canton’s major shopping area and Michigan Avenue at the southern part of its commercial district ultimately connects Detroit and Chicago, Canton often boasts more than one branch of a big chain; in such a comparatively small community, this is evidence of its popularity as a commercial tourist destination. This road has also been the focus of the Michigan Avenue Innovation Network (MAIN), a technology corridor stretching from Detroit to Canton.

The MAIN will also be used as a tool to maintain the integrity of the commercial endeavors in the area by focusing on clean industries. “We’re looking at the MAIN as a way to positively increase and enhance our communities,” says LaFever.

Since many people recognize these advantages and the wide variety of real estate on offer, growth has been consistent. Years ago, Canton Township went from a community of around 35,000, when development was on the rise in the ’90s, to its current booming population that lives across six square miles. The speed of Canton’s growth has taught its leaders to think on their feet, making them responsive, efficient, and resilient change makers. Over time, as everywhere else in the United States, some areas developed in more economically conducive ways than others. Now, thanks to a welcome cash injection through the American Rescue Plan Act, the township has revitalized areas in need of fresh visions.

One such area is Cherry Hill Village to the west. Described as a neo-traditional development and perhaps its most popular area, this is one of Canton’s most charming places to live and play, as Cherry Hill Village was developed around the original Cherry Hill School in a beautiful, historic area now re-envisioned for modern lifestyles while maintaining its character.

The project was undertaken to regenerate the township at large. As Canton was a residential hub with lively communities but lacking a definitive downtown zone, the extensive improvements to Cherry Hill Village solve this and keep the social scene buzzing. In the process, planners are creating more places for residents to gather, joining an existing performing arts center with an active theatre that welcomes audiences from across the region nearly every day of the year.

This initiative was achieved in collaboration with a nonprofit, Partnership for the Arts and Humanities, which has been a part of the community for over 20 years. This group is now mandated to actively maintain the cultural and activity programs in a number of new spaces, including weekly concerts, yoga in the park, and myriad other events.

There is also a new farmers market pavilion that hosts over 1,000 people on Sunday mornings, where fresh produce, flowers, and delicious treats are on sale. The township also has a new town square—a lovely park right in the center of the village, opposite the theatre, where residents and visitors can enjoy each other’s company and the beauty of the setting. “The leadership here in Canton had a vision to utilize some of the Rescue Plan Act dollars to infuse into that area, to create places for people to gather and stay, give people a reason to go there and be there and spend time there,” says LaFever. An old Ford factory building—with its original wooden floors—is also being transformed into a small community center which will welcome locals and their activities seven days per week.

The result of all this meticulous planning and diligent development is growing commercial development as new businesses all want their slice of the Cherry Hill Village pie. Achieving their goals in good time, it stands to reason that the township’s management teams are proud of the achievement, with every empty plot of land accounting for a new development set to take off over the next two years or so. And the effort is getting Canton noticed, with a delegation from the National Planning Conference in Detroit booked to visit.

Against this backdrop, residents also take great pride in maintaining Canton’s heritage. Committed to preserving and sharing its history with locals, the next generation, and visitors alike, the Historic Society maintains storyboards throughout the area. There are also many recreational options to choose from: apart from a generous sports complex, people can enjoy two golf courses and 10 parks that are well managed and maintained, benefitting from large investments in all of Canton’s amenities.

“These features make Canton an ideal location for people to live, work, play, and visit,” says Dr. Gavin Beckford, Economic and Downtown Development Manager.

Moreover, Canton is undertaking a project that will see the creation of a portal that identifies parcels of real estate eligible for possible redevelopment, aiming to optimize the area’s use of land and infrastructure while helping property owners earn more from their investments. “Canton is also open to considering specific tax incentive vehicles, which can then attract developers who are seeking opportunities,” Beckford explains. The overhaul will include ensuring that every area has strong internet connectivity and other services that support robust economic frameworks.

There is no doubt, the area has momentum. Looking at the many plans in place in Canton, one thing is clear: as the economic landscape continues shifting, Canton Township and its remarkable people continue to meet change with the same sense of welcome with which they meet one another.

The post Real Peace, True Progress<p class="company">Canton Township, Michigan</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Over the past six decades, Atlas Technologies has proven itself in innovative global die change equipment with automated cart technology that is reliable, durable, and prioritizes safety. Today, from its base in Fenton, Michigan, the company is stronger than ever.

After spending many years as a coveted industry specialist known mainly to a discerning few, the company today is increasingly respected for its fast die changers and robust die-movers that manage dies of 80 to 200 tons, plus its extensive line of equipment for sheet metal stamping and fabrication processes. It also recently reinvented its capabilities and its people, appointing a new sales accounts manager in the process. Its customer base and its teams have welcomed the improvements.

President David Hense is especially positive about the recent changes. “Since Stonebridge Technical Enterprises took Atlas over five years ago, we’ve been focusing on our internal processes and product development to make our entire product line cutting-edge for the manufacturing stamping industry,” he says.

This move not only stimulated product evolution but also contributed to the deeper development of its people. In recent years, in-depth staff education has translated into in-house training in collaboration with key manufacturers and the State of Michigan, in a decision that has proven to be tremendously valuable for the company’s continued success.

“We’re really proud of our employees; we have a nice team. They’re very flexible and knowledgeable,” Hense says, highlighting that watching employees new to the industry grow and flourish through focused education is a genuine pleasure.

Now, with its most recent overhaul complete, the company is welcoming new and returning customers alike to enjoy the results. “I’m an engineer,” Hense says, adding with a smile that the company’s new sales accounts manager is far better at marketing the company than he is. As its social media presence and press visibility continue growing, the firm is excited to welcome new trade partners and end users alike.

Not one to pepper conversations with commercial buzzwords, Hense instead leads by providing customers with top quality engineering and letting the premium work speak for itself. It is thanks to this approach that Atlas Technologies continues trading on a reputation for reliable, durable products and outstanding financial management. The company also invests in the latest technologies which ensure cutting-edge control systems that can be customized to suit customers’ needs.

Hense illustrates this customization with the example of de-stacking machines—heavy equipment used for feeding sheet metal on press lines. While it would be lovely to replicate these machines exactly for all customers, unique process needs simply do not allow this. “The product mixes and the mechanical strain that products place on equipment don’t make it practical,” he explains. Therefore, while key components are used across systems, every system is unique. “We pride ourselves on the ability to [adapt] to customer needs.”

Keeping itself at the forefront of innovation, Atlas Technologies perpetually pushes the boundaries of its field. As a result, there are a few fresh and innovative lines in its product reveal. Firstly, its FLEX Transfer collection comprises three series of front-to-back mounted, in-press servo transfers that move parts between stamping dies in a transfer press. This collection also offers two series of through-the-window-type transfer models—all five showcasing the state-of-the-art driving mechanics and control systems. This decision was based on the high performance and durability track records of these products. The company’s driving mechanics “are built on 40 years of proven methods and technologies. We didn’t reinvent the wheel when we came to the mechanical drive system,” Hense points out. “We used what works and made it better.”

The second collection—the Navigator Carts Series—features an expanded line of trackless transfer carts for transporting oversized loads such as molds, coils, and dies across fabrication facilities as well as components used in wind turbine and rail car fabrication, for instance, between assembly cells.

With the positive recent developments in reshoring fabrication, Hense is excited to see the process slowly beginning to take shape in the industry and on the company’s balance sheet as many of its clients return their press lines and other tooling operations to home soil. Alongside this shift, other operators are setting themselves up from scratch with greenfield sites, new facilities, and new staff. In many such instances, Atlas Technologies is invited to provide planning and fabrication support for the next decade or so. One recent contract with an international industry leader is especially exciting. “We’re excited to be part of the future that this global powerhouse of a company is presenting,” he says.

Recent geopolitical decisions have somewhat curbed international trade volumes while also reducing export volumes to the rest of North America, so the company’s current reach stretches primarily across the United States for now. Since the resulting economic situation has caused uncertainty for manufacturers in how they allocate their largest investments, business has, understandably, been slower in some areas than when trade and exportation were more predictable. As markets adjust, however, Hense indicates a rise in orders in recent months. He also points out that the company has been holding off on price increases despite a rise of 30 percent in the cost of automation control systems.

In the meantime, it continues to be an exciting time in the company’s history. “We’re proud to be part of people who are outfitting old manufacturing lines and updating them into new state-of-the-art systems,” Hense says of the innovation that is contributing to the health of the American fabrication industry and saving operators millions. To this end, Atlas Technologies offers tremendous value to companies with large heritage arrays like tandem lines. In such cases, its tracked cart series is especially favored. These are installed with robots mounted atop as robot transport carts that transfer components between presses along an entire line.

“When it comes time for die change, the robot carts move out of the way, and from the other side, a die cart enters in between the presses, and then you change the dies in the press line,” he explains. As there are many of these older systems throughout the United States, Atlas’s robot systems save on wasting precious long-term capital investments from years gone by.

Closer to home, the company considers its investments in its people as some of the most important it will ever make. While a previous period of training saw all its staff officially complete their Occupational Safety and Health Administration certifications due to a Going PRO Talent Fund training grant from the State of Michigan in 2024, new intakes are now completing hydraulics, electrical, programming, and other courses. Apart from appreciating his existing team, Hense is equally impressed with the company’s most recent appointments—capable, hardworking, and willing to learn, these young people give him hope for the future.

Putting its efforts into boosting sales and expanding market reach, the company continues leading with expert staff and legendary quality rooted in decades of evolution. “I’m really proud of this company. We have hard workers, and our people understand the needs of our customers,” Hense says confidently. It is indeed the company’s ability to evolve based on past experience and its drive to innovate a better future that underscores reaching the fiscal and cultural goals ahead. By continuing to navigate change better than ever before, this industry leader remains a constant of American pressroom automation.

The post Learning from History, Leading with Innovation<p class="company">Atlas Technologies</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

In the pages of history
Displaying the rich textures of local culture, the Moton Museum in Farmville occupies what was once the Robert Russa Moton High School, which gained fame as the birthplace of the student-led Civil Rights movement in 1951, when 16-year-old Barbara Rose Johns took a public stand against segregation, giving rise to a student strike that would reverberate down the years through collective American memory.

To mark this significant moment in history, the state of Virginia commissioned a statue of the brave young woman, which now stands in the Statuary Hall in Washington, DC. The museum was later nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With the majority of plaintiffs in 1954’s Brown v. Board of Education (another landmark case during the Civil Rights Movement) from Prince Edward County, the area’s legacy of commitment to equality prevails. As a friendly county known for its creativity and warmth, it has also been home to a string of glitterati, from hip hop star The Lady of Rage (Robin Yvette Allen) to admired screenwriter and filmmaker Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, to Founding Father Patrick Henry.

Today, this ACT Work Ready Community is experiencing a renewed surge in popularity, and not a moment too soon. Flush with unique assets ranging from the historical to the recreational, Prince Edward County offers variety in addition to natural beauty. In addition, buying land here remains within the reach of ordinary Americans, while the county’s welcoming attitude to new business creates an ideal economic climate for continued, sustainable growth.

Committed to quality education, the county is also home to two proud institutions of higher education, Longwood University, dating back to 1839, and Hampden-Sydney College dating back to 1775, both liberal arts colleges with the latter open only to men.

Weddings this way
Famous for its exquisite landscapes and hospitality venues alongside other amenities, Prince Edward County has carved a special niche for itself in the wedding industry. With the area providing everything couples could wish for on their big day, the sector is expanding at a healthy pace as growing numbers of former students choose to marry near their alma mater.

In addition, for the benefit of the wide selection of vendors in the region, the economic development team has partnered with the Farmville Chamber of Commerce to host an annual Bridal Expo where soon-to-be newlyweds can explore options to their hearts’ content.

Complete with an enterprise zone managed in collaboration with the Virginia Enterprise Zone program, local businesses here benefit from local incentives like reimbursement grants for job creation and property improvement, as well as tax reinvestment grants whereby certain areas of investment earn business owners welcome tax breaks—perks that a growing number of businesses are taking advantage of.

“We have been very intentional about economic development and tourism while promoting both. We’ve invested in local BRE (Business Retention and Expansion) efforts, job creation, and regional collaboration through various partnerships,” says Chelsey White, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, whose family has been here for generations. White and her team are stationed at the local visitor center, a designated marketing organization under the leadership of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Some of the organization’s most recent work has been in collaboration with the Virginia Heartland Regional Economic Development Alliance (VHREDA). “We foster a pro-business, solution-oriented culture from community development to economic development,” says White.

Also proud of the work his organization is doing to improve the local labor situation and provide opportunities for all communities is County Administrator Doug Stanley. This is achieved, he says, by aligning local priorities with business needs. As a result, the county vigorously fosters a healthy organizational environment, evident in its recognition in both 2025 and 2026 by Virginia Business Magazine as one of the region’s Best Places to Work out of 95 counties, cities, and towns.

Economic leadership
Prince Edward County is committed to serving the public with strong economic leadership and support through its collaborations with the Board of Supervisors and Industrial Development Authority, which provides flexibility and the confidence to lead. “From a staff resource standpoint, we bring a lot to the table to help folks navigate the development process and to investigate what kind of incentives are available,” says Stanley. The economic development team also collaborates with Longwood Small Business Development Center, helping prospective entrepreneurs in the planning phases of their business journey.

In this context, the lively downtown area’s most noteworthy anchor, Green Front Furniture, offers around a million square feet of retail space, contributing to the region’s reputation as a shopping hub for quality fare across seven surrounding counties.

Then there are the South Central Workforce Development Board (SCWDB) and the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce, in addition to a clutch of regional and state agencies. “It’s common for us to partner on different grant applications. Sometimes it’s better for us, being smaller, rural areas, to pool our resources,” White adds.

Business at high speed
To ensure the region advances in sync with the times, the team has worked hard across numerous grant programs to make high-speed internet a reality in every area. What has now become a long-term project is expected to conclude next year. The ultimate goal is to give students improved access to online education and adults more freedom to work from anywhere.

Moreover, the reality of stable, reliable internet has also allowed the county to establish and further develop the 280-acre Heartland Innovative Technology (HIT) Park into a $3 to 4 billion hyperscale data center campus project in collaboration with Dominion Energy and AVAIO Digital, with an estimated two-year construction phase ahead.

Another new arrival, YakAttack, which moved here following a $2 million renovation by the county to ensure the firm’s future in the business district, has seen business go from strength to strength. 5 Pillar Meats has also invested multiple millions in the county, which is reaping results. Harbor Freight and Wawa are other respected operators that have planted roots.

The county also has an impressive new website, developed in collaboration with its tourism council, that brings flair to covering the region’s every amenity and activity. Moreover, the economic development team is expanding its social media presence through channels like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

A good claim to fame
Wrapped in verdant glory, Prince Edward County is famous for having the most state parks in the region, alongside incredible fishing opportunities. Interestingly, many of its recreational spaces have historic significance, with Twin Lakes State Park having perhaps the most significant history of them all.

Dating back to the pre-Civil War era, this park offers a nostalgic piece of African-American heritage in the area. “During segregation, people from all over the state would come to Twin Lakes as it was one of its kind, serving as a social hub for African-American families in the region,” White says. Generations of African-Americans have grown up with fond memories of weekends, holidays, and vacations here. Nowadays, it is a popular destination for family reunions.

One of the county’s rail-to-trail conversions, the High Bridge Trail State Park, which dates back to the Civil War, traverses Cumberland, Nottoway, and Prince Edward Counties and the towns of Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect, and Rice. Popular amongst horse riders, the bridge’s elevation measures 125 meters at its highest point.

Sandy River Outdoor Adventures is another example of a business that has benefited from the economic development team’s support. Following an Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund grant, the business expanded and now offers a wide selection of activities including tipi glamping, ziplining, a whiskey and bourbon distillery, and a restaurant offering wood-fired pizzas. The Sandy River Reservoir is also known as one of the region’s hottest bass fishing spots, together with Briery Creek Lake.

Stanley, who has worked in local government for 30 years, is positive about the economic development team’s future. “Economic development brings business and brings tax base jobs that help generate funds for us to achieve the other functions of the county, whether it’s making improvements, capital improvements to improve our schools, or other services in the community. It’s an important function because it really drives growth,” he says.

White agrees, especially when it comes to developing the region’s housing provisions and evolving commercial potential. “Over the next five years, we see Prince Edward County continuing to emerge as a regional, commercial, and industrial hub while also beginning to realize the residential growth that we know the community can support,” she adds.

None of these goals come at the expense of the county’s commitment to authenticity, however. It’s plain to see that the charm of Prince Edward County is much of what makes it so attractive to so many, and safeguarding its heritage and keeping its character will see it continue to flourish for decades to come.

The post Cherishing the Beauty, Nurturing the Economy<p class="company">Prince Edward County, Virginia</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

An organically defined region, yet one of the country’s loveliest, this rural area rich in character has been described by the Brave Little State podcast as having “fuzzy edges.” Some certainties, however, include Hanover and Lebanon in New Hampshire, with its White Mountains, and Hartford and Norwich in Vermont, with its Green Mountains—all on the Appalachian Trail stretching from Maine to Georgia.

At least, these are the widely accepted facts, while another clutch of towns—the ‘in or out’ status of which is hotly debated by locals—are gathered along the outskirts. What is not debatable is the exquisite landscape carved out by the Connecticut River that defines the region—that and the Upper Valley’s bustling business scene, which is enjoying a welcome revival as of late.

A place to prosper
Education and healthcare are primary contributors to the prosperity of the region, with Dartmouth College (an Ivy League School that is the source of many local tech startups and medical research facilities) and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center as two of the largest employers. Technology and manufacturing, logistics and services, agriculture, light manufacturing, and a lumber industry also thrive in the Upper Valley.

To maintain this lively economic ecosystem, local businesses are supported and stimulated by the Upper Valley Business Alliance (UVBA). The product of two local Chambers of Commerce merging six years ago, the organization serves around 500 businesses across the Upper Valley, taking great care to help shape each area’s business landscape according to its unique character while offering support in legislative advocacy and economic and workforce development.

The UVBA also contributes to creating and maintaining a sense of community. As the Upper Valley is fairly remote, the UVBA works hard at helping new arrivals establish their place and build comfort zones through community involvement and fun activities. Some of its groups include Upper Valley Women in Business, Upper Valley Mosaic Network, Upper Valley Young Professionals, and the Upper Valley Arts Alliance.

“We cover Vermont and New Hampshire—a kind of bi-state support which you don’t see often,” explains Morgan Brophy, President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Upper Valley three
Headed by three visionaries who each own their own business beyond their office duties, the organization is a hive of activity where problem-solving and economic regeneration meet hospitality and the type of zesty yet well-directed originality that only accomplished creatives bring. And the UVBA has three of the best.

Morgan Brophy took up her position as President and CEO in 2025, following a career as an arts administrator and producer in opera and classical music, during which she founded the Artist Relief Tree (ART) following the dire economic situation artists found themselves in during the COVID-19 crisis, raising $750,000 in mutual aid. The fund supported more than 3,000 artists globally, for which Brophy was awarded the 2020 Virginian of the Year Award. Brophy and her husband’s business, StrongRabbit Designs, supplies merchandise to nonprofits, individual artists, and small businesses looking to create additional income streams.

The region’s historic opera house, built in Lebanon in 1924, is the beautiful community hub that first drew Brophy to the area. She originally visited in her capacity as a Stage Manager for Opera North, the well-known local opera company, when she met her future husband backstage, little knowing that this would one day bring the couple back to the region to settle for good.

“Arts administration takes imagination,” Brophy says, “but also good organization. So that’s really what I contribute to the organization, to the region as a whole.” Additionally, bringing several years of administrative and nonprofit experience to her position, she combines her love of small business and community crafting with strong organizational skills to serve the people of the Upper Valley in fresh new ways.

Gordon Boddington recently joined the UVBA as Marketing and Administration Manager. He is driven by a rich talent for building connections and developing public interest in new business ventures. With a background in small business management and more than two decades securing millions of dollars in grants as part of his role in economic and community development, his wide range of skills, now being applied to building community and helping small businesses flourish, along with his skills in creating marketing campaigns that typically go viral, are being put to good use in the Upper Valley. Boddington is also the founder of the @heyuppervalley social media channel.

Nicole Follensbee, Membership Director, has been a local of the Upper Valley for the past 13 years, and is also the owner of Simply Beeutiful Events, an event and wedding planning business she established in 2021. With a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA from Plymouth State University, Follensbee brings nearly two decades of invaluable soft skills and expertise in the hospitality industry to her position.

Together, these three leaders offer valuable support for local businesses in need of more exposure and access to new markets. The team also provides tourist services; workforce attraction, development, and retention; and state advocacy. Moreover, it assists people moving to the region and aids in building and maintaining networks. Maintaining strong collaboration between the town management offices and planners of the four towns, the UVBA directly supports the economic and regional development commissions while weaving a fine tapestry of involvement amongst local stakeholders.

Breaking the boundaries
“This isn’t the case in every community, but for us, there is quite a bit of crossover and cross-pollination, which benefits us a lot,” Brophy says. “The town managers and planning departments have their fingers on the pulse of what’s happening in their neighborhood pockets and their downtowns.” She remarks on how well this cross-pollination works in such a large region when new businesses open, for instance. “They let me know that there’s a new business opening, or if someone is struggling, so that I can reach out.”

As a business support aid, the team also focuses on where members’ goals for gaining market share are positioned. Brophy notes that joining the Chamber of Commerce or the Regional Economic Committee means gaining access to resources that help entrepreneurs in introducing themselves to new markets.

There’s another reason, too, why the approach is proving successful in economic regeneration. “New Hampshire is one of the most tax-friendly states for businesses,” Brophy explains. “It’s a great place to have a business because there is a very low tax burden.” And, with all the burgeoning business opportunities to be filled, the UVBA’s workforce development initiatives provide plenty of opportunities and resources to make this a healthy business ecosystem worthy of exploration and investment.

Part of this work includes further development of its affordable housing and childcare infrastructure, two social issues that stand to improve the current economic landscape. “We do need more talent in this region. What we hear repeatedly is that retention comes down to housing and childcare,” she says. As an important stakeholder in local business health, addressing the ‘missing middle’ in the housing sector has become a crucial element of the UVBA’s contribution to the region’s pathfinding mission.

It’s common to find this team engaged in facilitating conversations and easing processes between large employers and local municipalities on the subject of establishing affordable housing for employees. The UVBA is also frequently involved in national conversations surrounding how different states and municipalities address childcare and learning about how they might address those same challenges in the Upper Valley. Housing and childcare are issues that directly impact the economic health of a region so the UVBA is invested in being a part of the conversation at all levels.

Beyond business
But doing good business isn’t the only reason to move to this exquisite part of the country. Brophy describes the communities of the Upper Valley as very special and the dual region as providing locals with “the best of both worlds.” Both interesting and fun, this is the place where the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation runs an initiative called the Welcome Wagon that helps new arrivals settle in and feel at home. It is where families gather for games of glow-in-the-dark mini golf, at the new rock-climbing venue, to bike or walk the Rail Trail, or at the virtual reality escape room.

A new bar also recently opened, complete with an arcade-style doggy play park where cameras provide a live feed to the bar upstairs such that pet owners can watch their pooches on sports bar-style TV screens while enjoying a tipple with friends. And, even though the big brand names are certainly represented here, the Upper Valley is definitely a place where supporting local small businesses takes precedence.

The area also boasts a number of wonderful nonprofits doing great work; one in particular, Cover Home Repair (COVER), helps the elderly age in place by providing them, and others in need, with crucial home repairs and upgrades such as ramps and support rails.

The UVBA is committed to supporting both traditional and novel solutions—especially when it comes to shifting strategic stalemates in need of new direction. “Oftentimes, you’re not able to see action until we start participating in the conversation,” says Brophy. Herein, perhaps, lies the UVBA’s greatest contribution—bringing life and dynamism to what can otherwise easily become stagnating corners of its local enterprises and communities. The result of this support is lush crops of healthy new businesses flourishing across the area.

Now, while the UVBA remains dedicated to fulfilling its mandate of invigorating local business and caring for the overall well-being of the area, it is also revamping its own office system to ensure that it has the resources and performance power to achieve this. And so while it lays the groundwork that must anchor a host of new developments—the “sandboxes,” as Brophy puts it, where collaboration can spark new initiatives—this team understands that the Upper Valley Business Alliance must continue adding its layers of input to local businesses and local workforce creation. The organization excels at facilitating good relationships and building strong networks one season at a time—fully knowing that right now, all its hard work is helping to prepare the region for its next season of blooming.

The post Where Two States Meet to Prosper<p class="company">Upper Valley Business Alliance</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

One aspect that counts in the city’s favor on this front is New London’s accessibility. Alongside its interstate ferry access to Fishers, Block, and Long Islands, the city has good public transportation via rail, as both Amtrak and Shore Line East are well-represented. New London is also connected to Interstate 95, and American Cruise Lines docks here, with around 10 cruise liners set to arrive during 2026.

Now focused on small business development, the city of New London has established itself as a leader in bringing together its diverse communities in fun and creative ways. Reinvigorating its local business scene, the city is upgrading everything from storefronts to social media presences, downtown apartments to the city’s overall appearance, as it welcomes growing numbers of visitors from around the world. In the process, the city even introduced a fantastic new application, Explore New London, to enhance visitors’ experience further.

Applying its share of the nearly $2 trillion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding judiciously, the city has been supporting new construction, driving a vital surge in this sector not seen since the 1950s. Its downtown area perhaps benefits in the biggest ways, with significant restoration work and improvements, mainly along Meridian, State, and Howard Streets, allowing the city to offer leasing space to a growing number of new businesses in the area.

“I think it was very helpful to get those buildings ready for tenants. Many of our buildings were not ready—nowhere close to white-box standards and certainly not even grey-box,” says Elizabeth Nocera, Economic Development Coordinator. “We’re very grateful for the infusion of APRA dollars to accomplish that.”

Following the upgrades ARPA funding afforded New London, the city has transformed a previously bleak picture into growing communities, contributing to the city’s overall well-being in more meaningful ways than previously possible.

The anticipated grand opening of New London’s National Coast Guard Museum in 2027 is one of the much-welcomed economic drivers behind the current bustle. The new facility, positioned in the city’s historic area between Union Train Station and the Thames River, will provide visitors with glass-enclosed waterfront views across 80,000 square feet of public space offering well over 500 artifacts and 4,500 images. Beyond immersive and interactive exhibits and leadership training, participants will also benefit from educational programs in science, technology, and mathematics. “Currently, the Coast Guard is the only [division] of the National Defense Force that does not have a museum, so it’s going to be very exciting when that opens,” Nocera shares.

The influx of new visitors means that the city is also attracting new economic possibilities, making this a truly exciting time for New Londoners. In the process, the city has undertaken a thorough, two-year-long wayfinding initiative that has seen a number of new projects come to life. One of these is creating a range of maps and guides on navigating New London’s amenities and public spaces, helping visitors to easily find parking and other important landmarks. “We want people to not only visit the museum but to stay,” emphasizes Nocera. “Stay and have lunch. Stay and have dinner. Stay and visit our small shops.”

With a proud existing arts and culture tradition, the city’s artists also benefited from ARPA funding, securing New London the designation of third cultural district of the State of Connecticut. And as a result of the reinvigoration of its cultural, historical, and arts scenes, the city’s downtown area is blossoming in exciting new ways with a refreshed sense of vibrancy adding life and vigor to the atmosphere.

New London is also home to one of the state’s largest theatres. As it happens, the Garde Arts Center celebrates its centenary this year, as visitors come from across the region to enjoy premium cultural events and performances in the beautiful 1500-seat grande dame of local arts. As a beneficiary of a Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) grant, this star amenity can now afford to revamp its premises, breathing new life into the beloved landmark, complete with a new community area and an improved loading dock. The new dock provides access to semi-trailers at the back of the premises, enabling larger productions.

Another of New London’s current missions is overhauling its traffic infrastructure to accommodate growth, with a specific focus on enhancing traffic flow with the help of more funding from the DECD. Its goal is to ensure that all transportation providers enjoy improved access to and from destinations, making the city as easy to get around in as possible.

“We are currently working on new signalization and moving forward after some additional traffic study to change one of our current one-way streets to a two-way street to improve egress and ingress,” Nocera says of the city’s efforts to re-align a surge in rush-hour traffic.

Following the city’s greater traffic study, its ferry dock, a high-traffic zone linked to the interstate highway, recently completed environmental studies in support of its bulkhead improvements aimed at enhancing docking and on- and off-boarding. Its parking zone, giving access to the railways and ferries, will also soon be expanded thanks to another federal grant. “It is a wonderful problem to have parking issues,” Nocera laughs. “It is an indicator that we are now a national tourist hub.”

In another development, one of the city’s legacy businesses, The Day newspaper, exchanged its original central-downtown footprint for a new printing and distribution premises on State Street, and its earlier premises are set to become a hotel, complete with a public park and greenway right next to the Water Street Parking Garage, in partnership with High Tide Capital. By softening the mainly concrete-and-asphalt landscape of this area, New Londoners will soon be able to enjoy the pleasures of fresh, green soft-scaping in this popular part of their city.

“It’s been a wonderful partnership with High Tide Capital,” Nocera says of the projects, which have seen the addition of a significant number of affordable new apartments at both at The Day’s old and new premises. The result of this, together with the city administration’s economic revitalization work, is a wonderful blending of residential, small retail, and restaurant spaces, lending an air of relaxation and easy living to the area. With restaurants like The Lion House, The Blue Duck, and others, the city’s culinary scene is growing a life of its own in the best possible way.

As old mall spaces are now being converted into offices, even more businesses are returning to the downtown area, following the great commercial exodus of the 1980s when malls became the be-all and end-all of economic development in every city and town across the land. The city is now engaged in a strategic partnership with Connecticut Main Street Center to revitalize the area as well as the rest of its commercial centers, while considering the wishes of residents and other stakeholders with regard to what new additions would please them most in the development of a lively downtown.

New London also established a new community recreational center where local teams can practice regularly. “The Mayor, Michael Passero, and his administration, really pushed for it and made it a very high priority,” Nocera says. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful facility. We’re very, very proud of our new community recreational center that just opened in July.”

The city’s largest employer—and a considerable landowner—General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB or EB for short) is a submarine fabricator with a significant presence here and in the neighboring town of Graton. Providing the area’s young professionals with a steady supply of gainful employment, the company has also helped to stimulate the city’s housing development.

Another large contributor to New London’s prosperity is Connecticut State’s Pier Terminal, home to the city’s turbine assembly and wind marshaling operations since 2023. The city is also home to Sheffield Pharmaceuticals, the original patent holder for toothpaste invented by Doctor Sheffield in 1850, which has been in operation for around a century. In addition, there is Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, which employs a large number of healthcare professionals and is partnered with Yale University.

And Yale isn’t the only tertiary education institution with a presence here. The U.S. Coast Guard has its academy in New London, as do Connecticut and Mitchell Colleges. To ensure that students develop community awareness, the city makes a conscious effort to connect with them in various ways, and Connecticut College has supported the drive with its occupation of a building in the downtown area for student housing, adding to the diversity and liveliness of the district.

With a few more brownfield projects underway, there is certainly no shortage of affordable housing here, and with GDEB set to employ around 3,000 new people per year over the next few years, housing availability is set to remain a priority. Moving ahead, however, another priority is the development of brownfield sites on Howard Street as well as Garfield Mills on Garfield Street, which is earmarked for housing following site remediation. The next five years will also see the development of the historic Fort Trumbull peninsula, an area that has been slated for housing and other development for over a decade and is seeing movement toward that vision now. The city is also partnering with Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities (ECHO) in another exciting effort to establish yet more affordable housing, this time on Bayonet Street, where a local church steeple collapsed a few years ago, leading to the demolition of the building.

“ECHO has been a terrific partner. This project is now in phase three,” Nocera says. ECHO is also partnering with the city on a new, 45-unit mixed housing project at the site of the collapsed church on State Street.

With further plans underway and extensive upgrades to infrastructure and accessibility driving ongoing improvement across the city, New London is being primed for a new lease on life, one which promises to see its historic and commercial districts blossom into a new era of economic prosperity over the next decade.

The post On the Move<p class="company">City of New London, Connecticut</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Offering world-class service and a rich ambience, the exquisite natural beauty and human warmth of Southwestern Vermont keep teams focused and grounded. The region’s thoughtfully curated inns, meeting spaces, and retreat properties provide the privacy and professional support needed for productive sessions, while the surrounding landscape encourages reflection and renewal. In The Shires, teams can step away from their daily demands to reconnect with their purpose, their leadership, and one another, building the clarity and alignment that drive organizations forward.

Identifying a niche
As many companies and organizations spent 2025 reimagining the post-pandemic future, Southwestern Vermont identified an innovative, growing niche at the highest level—and has the expertise and infrastructure to support its expansion.

As CEO of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Matt Harrington brings more than a decade of experience in regional economic development, business leadership, and destination promotion. In his role, he works closely with employers, institutions, and community partners to strengthen the region’s capacity to host high-quality meetings, conferences, and professional gatherings.

Groups from around the world visit Southwestern Vermont for its sophisticated sense of organization and old-world hospitality. “The Shires are especially well-suited for executive offsite gatherings, nonprofit retreats, board meetings, and leadership development programs, where trust-building, reflection, and long-term thinking matter as much as agenda items. What makes this region distinctive is the way strong venues, thoughtful service, and genuine community collaboration come together to support meaningful work. When leaders come here, they’re able to slow down, focus, and engage with one another in ways that lead to better decisions and stronger organizations,” Harrington says.

Where better?
Sharing its borders with New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, the state of Vermont is home to The Shires of Vermont, tucked away in its southwestern-most corner.

Southwestern Vermont has its county seats in Bennington, the source of the region’s alternative name, Bennington County, and in Manchester in the North, which is also its retail and recreation hub. Moreover, Southwestern Vermont is relatively easy to reach from anywhere in the world, yet sufficiently hidden from the madding crowd to make it truly singular in its positioning within the national market.

Immensely popular with visitors from Asia due to its unique blend of historic architecture, pastoral landscapes, and timeless New England character, Southwestern Vermont offers an atmosphere that feels both grounded and otherworldly. Elegant Georgian Revival estates, classic village greens, covered bridges, and carefully preserved town centers create a setting that feels intimate, walkable, and visually rich. The region’s quiet roads, green-or-orange-or-white covered hills, and starlit skies lend a sense of calm and mystique that is increasingly rare in modern travel. For many international visitors, The Shires represent an authentic, storybook version of America—one that combines refinement, craftsmanship, and natural beauty with a deeply personal sense of place.

The region is easily accessible via three-and-a-half-hour charter flights to Bennington’s William H. Morse State Airport from John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports in New York. Albany International Airport is also nearby, just an hour’s drive away.

“Located within a comfortable drive of Boston, New York City, Albany, and Western Massachusetts, The Shires provide the accessibility of a regional hub without the congestion, cost, or anonymity of larger metro destinations. Part of the experience is the journey itself—traveling into the Green Mountains and stepping into a setting that feels both timeless and intentionally unhurried,” Harrington says.

Memorably small
In contrast to regions that regularly host retreats for thousands of attendees, Southwestern Vermont is the quintessential example of the power of petite. Boasting some of America’s dreamiest countryside landscapes, the area offers amenities that make corporate gatherings genuinely memorable for even the most discerning guests—and for all the best reasons.

Focusing its efforts on helping organizations build connection with their teams through conscious presence and modern thought leadership, the region’s superpowers reside in its commitment to taking care of details and a talent for creating an atmosphere of substance and charm for groups of up to 100.

Built on a proud legacy of farm-to-table food, The Shires’ culinary scene offers a smörgåsbord of local and international flavors to please even the most discerning palate. “We’re a culinary bastion, a culinary corridor, from Massachusetts—and really the Berkshires—all the way up into Vermont,” Harrington says of this sought-after region’s delectable selection of restaurants representing a cornucopia of cuisines ranging from Japanese to Indian, Jamaican, Turkish, and more. “It’s intimate, it’s personable and focused, but it also has this really natural, earthy goodness about it,” he says of the local food tradition known for taking the time-honored route with authentic dishes created from quality ingredients.

Spoiled for choice
The area’s collection of beautiful establishments also adds a touch of refinement. Some of Southwestern Vermont’s most breathtaking venues include Hildene, the Lincoln Family Estate near the town of Manchester, where 412 acres of pristinely kept land welcome visitors to a newly constructed, multi-million-dollar conference facility. The regenerative farm features a formal garden alongside an original Georgian revival mansion, a luxury 1903 Pullman railcar, a museum store, and a welcome center.

“From Hildene’s Lincoln Hall, a world-class historic venue with modern amenities, to refined conference spaces at The Kimpton Taconic Hotel and The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, meetings in The Shires feel purposeful, inspiring, and memorable,” adds Harrington.

The Kimpton Taconic is an internationally renowned hotel offering premium event facilities, accommodations, and fare in Manchester. Moreover, the Mt. Anthony Country Club, dating back to 1897, offers an 18-hole golf course, ballroom, and breakout rooms alongside popular dining options. Stratton Mountain Inn in Stratton Village spans hundreds of acres, comprising four unique properties that cater to those seeking a range of accommodations from multiple-room condos to a resort and studios.

There is also winter skiing across more than 670 acres, from an elevation of 3,875 feet, rounded out by 27-hole golf course, rides, hiking, and yoga. Visitors also have access to a top-class mountain sports training facility.

Another gem is just a stone’s throw from Bennington’s downtown. South Shire, a historic little hotel with big character and an even bigger following, is decorated in the typical New England style. Able to accommodate between 20 and 100 guests, it is intimate enough to be entirely dedicated to a single event. This venue offers a range of options to suit most group gatherings, with well-designed flow and breakout spaces, and an enclosed courtyard welcomes guests with ample space for outdoor meetings.

The Prospect Street Writers House, in North Bennington, offers seasonal writing retreats and residencies where small groups of writers come together for workshops, collaboration, and structured creative time in a retreat-like setting.

As one of the famous Inns of Dorset, Barrows House is a boutique-style resort that combines modern-day simplicity with old-world elegance. Beyond an interesting selection of carefully created cocktails, its award-winning wine list is perfectly paired with its popular menus—all freshly prepared from quality local produce.

More luxury awaits at The Four Chimneys Inn in Bennington, where close attention is paid to even the finest details. This romantic retreat reflects the tranquility and good taste of yesteryear. The inn offers 11 rooms and ample space for gatherings and meetings of all kinds, with an on-site restaurant offering an impressive, modern French-Vermont à la carte menu.

For larger groups, or those seeking a more standardized experience, there is the Hampton by Hilton Inn and Suites in Manchester and Brattleboro, with their familiar waffles, range of amenities, and easy-going creature comforts.

The generous helping of popular area restaurants includes one of Manchester’s favorites, Mystico Cucina Italiana at 928 Main Street, featuring delectable Italian menus based on fresh ingredients and a penchant for authentic, exceptionally prepared food. The décor is minimalist yet rich in character, with a coastal spin and a hearty atmosphere. The restaurant offers space for larger events and enough room for 50 people seated and 70 mingling.

“What truly sets Mystico apart is our culinary foundation and service philosophy,” says Debbie Pazos, proprietor. “My husband, Luis, and I come from Michelin kitchens, and that standard of excellence carries through every event we host.” Menus are customized to suit the hosts, while the spaces are easily adapted to suit each event’s unique needs.

There is also Pangaea Restaurant, together with a café of the same name, where diners indulge in skillfully prepared, creative meals. Naturally, with great comfort comes the need for great activity, and here, too, the region boasts myriad options.

From rugged to refined
With kayaking, biking, hiking, and trout fishing available on the Battenkill River, hosts can even opt for camping or more traditionally rugged shelters at the Merck Forest & Farmland Center. “What’s available here is customizable and choice-driven. If a team is looking more for the calm, outdoor, adventure feel for their getaway, we have it. If the team is looking for pamper and relaxation, we have that. And everything in between,” Harrington remarks, with a focus on crafting curated experiences tailored to suit every need.

Indeed, with its many historic locations all within easy reach, visitors can take in popular attractions such as the Bennington Theater, Bennington Museum, Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Southern Vermont Arts Center, and Monument Arts & Cultural Center. “These experiences foster connection, reflection, and informal networking beyond the meeting room,” Harrington says.

In recent years, Southwestern Vermont’s venues have drawn attention as desirable settings for professional gatherings and conferences. In November 2025, the Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) chose the Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester to host its annual conference, bringing Chamber leaders from across the state for a multi-day program focused on innovation, governance, and strategic planning. The event included breakfast sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, underlining the region’s appeal to association professionals seeking both connectivity and a scenic backdrop.

Historic Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home, has also emerged as a unique host for national-level gatherings. In the spring of 2025, the Lincoln Forum Symposium convened at Hildene’s Lincoln Hall and surrounding estate, attracting historians, scholars, and enthusiasts for lectures, panel discussions, and immersive experiences centered on the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The estate’s combination of historic architecture, expansive grounds, and modern meeting facilities makes it a compelling choice for organizations seeking a distinctive setting that blends learning with place-based inspiration.

Not far from these venues, Stratton Mountain Resort continues to position itself as a multifunctional destination for retreats that combine meeting space with recreational programming. In 2024, Stratton hosted the SHM New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter Conference, a professional gathering that drew healthcare leaders for educational sessions, networking, and outdoor activities—showcasing the resort’s ability to cater to groups looking for both substantive programming and team-building experiences in a mountain setting.

Across the region, properties like the Kimpton Taconic, Hildene’s Lincoln Hall, and Stratton Mountain illustrate how Southwestern Vermont’s venues support a diverse range of retreats and conferences—highlighting not just traditional meeting spaces, but environments that enhance reflection, collaboration, and connection for attendees.

In addition to his Chamber leadership, Harrington also leads Harrington Brands, a consulting practice focused on retreat design, facilitation, and strategic visioning. Through this work, he partners with organizations to deliver high-impact retreats, leadership programs, and strategic planning sessions. His experience spans venue coordination, agenda development, stakeholder engagement, and on-site facilitation, allowing clients to rely on a single, trusted partner from concept through execution. With deep regional relationships and a strong understanding of organizational dynamics, Harrington brings both local knowledge and proven process to every engagement, helping groups turn gatherings into meaningful, results-driven experiences.

“Over the years, I’ve learned that the success of a retreat or leadership gathering isn’t just about what happens in the meeting room; it’s also about where it happens,” Harrington says. “Place matters. When leaders step into an environment that encourages reflection, connection, and perspective, they show up differently. In Southwestern Vermont, organizations find the space to slow down, refocus, restore their energy, rebuild alignment, and reconnect with their peers. That sense of place is often what turns a good meeting into a transformational experience.”

To him, the value proposition is simple: Southwestern Vermont offers a true alignment of place, culture, and values that appeals to forward-thinking organizations looking to reinvigorate their teams and organizations. The area’s amenities are perfectly suited to these small yet powerfully focused breakaways, providing escape without distraction. It is a place that feels just right.

The post Where Leaders Gather: A Place To Refocus, Restore, Rebuild, and Reconnect<p class="company">The Shires of Southwestern Vermont</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Calling Galco a powerhouse of ingenuity is no overstatement. Over the past six years, the company, known for supplying factory-authorized industrial electrical and electronic automation, controls, and component products, has delivered sustained growth amid the economic volatility and supply chain instability that have reshaped global industrial distribution since 2020.

Galco’s differentiator is straightforward. It positions itself as a premium problem solver for customers facing maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) challenges. Headquartered in Madison Heights, Michigan, the company supports Tier 1 suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across industries, including automotive, agriculture, food and beverage, oil and gas, data centers, and beyond. Galco provides mission-critical components and the expertise required to keep operations moving.

Closer to clients in every way
Backed by its six brands and nearly 300 employees, Galco’s team has built a reputation for continuous improvement. This is measured not only in internal efficiency, but in customer proximity and responsiveness.

On one hand, the company has broadened its operational scope while reducing the geographic distance between its team and customers. On the other hand, it has invested significantly in its omnichannel presence, creating a seamless, consistent experience for customers both online and offline. These investments make information and support easier to access through intuitive channels and streamline purchasing for faster, hassle-free product acquisition.

In step with the times, Galco has made some major investments in AI. Chief Information Officer Joe Garzia emphasizes the importance of distinguishing legitimate new pathways from no-go zones within the technology. “Our focus on AI is to be open to opportunities, but cautious,” he says. “A lot claims to be AI these days, but it is just buzzwords.” The priority is improving customer experience while keeping systems secure and proprietary to Galco.

As the organization implements new technology across departments, the finance team has overseen meaningful upgrades. These upgrades automate repetitive tasks so staff can focus on higher-impact work. At the same time, the company remains vigilant about cybersecurity and information security while pursuing initiatives designed to improve how customers get answers and move from need to solution.

Galco’s most recent addition in this area is a chatbot, currently under development, which will soon offer an extra layer of quick-access support, providing customers with faster information and expedited service. This gateway boasts yet another layer of support in the form of agents ready to assist when a request is beyond the chatbot’s scope. The company is also building an automated quotation capability aimed at reducing turnaround time and improving speed-to-order.

Importantly, AI now plays a new role in Galco’s marketing and service delivery—powering smarter product recommendations that improve customer outcomes. “Today, the bar has been raised so high—everyone expects an Amazon-type experience when shopping online,” says Allison Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer, of the company’s commitment to customer care. “That’s why we use what customers already have in their cart, along with what’s popular on our site, to recommend the items that pair best—so people can quickly find what goes together and finish the job with confidence. I would say we lead in that.”

In search of value for clients
Galco’s value proposition is extensive, starting with inventory depth that helps customers avoid tying up capital in stock. Its highly skilled, sought-after technicians are also well-versed in repairing rare, sometimes vintage equipment that is difficult or impossible to replace. In addition, Galco offers custom systems improvements and retrofits wherein the team creates electronic drives that function with customers’ existing controls.

Extending Galco’s expertise beyond the website and into a format customers engage with every day is its social media presence, part of a broader effort to create thought-provoking content across Galco’s digital channels, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. From how-to instruction to quick tips and product spotlights, these channels illustrate the tremendous value and depth of Galco’s resources and credibility with customers.

While all these efforts certainly drive growth, Galco’s main means of expansion is through acquisition. As the company already serves all of North America, Thomas Muldowney, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, and his fellow leaders aim to broaden their presence further and extend capabilities through aligned additions to the portfolio.

“Galco’s growth strategy is about extending an already strong North American platform,” Muldowney says. “We focus on acquisitions that add technology, expand capability, and align with how customers want to buy and be supported.” Beyond reach, the company looks for businesses that strengthen services and technical competency so it can deliver a broader set of solutions across industries.

Driven by this vision, Galco is always keen to add well-aligned businesses to its portfolio. Founded in Michigan in 1975, the company began taking steps to expand its presence about five years ago. Reaching from the East Coast into the Midwest and growing southwards from there, it now defines “going the extra mile” as meaning “being within easy reach of clients.”

“We have so many different verticals here, from repair teams that can leverage Galco’s parts inventory for fast turnaround to in-house technical engineering support,” explains Bob Marshall, Vice President of Engineering and Services.

A case in point is the recent acquisition of Brozelco, Inc., with locations in Rockford, Kingsport, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, known for fabricating operator buildings, e-houses, and electrical enclosures popular with mines and asphalt processing plants. Adding this capability expanded Galco’s portfolio and created new strategic upside alongside the company’s service-driven model. “In 2030, that’s going to be a $5 billion market,” suggests Muldowney.

Ranging across markets
As a result, the company remains agile in a wide range of markets, giving its team of 15 technicians the scope they need to be the best-versed professionals across an impressive range of big-name products in electronics and technology. But market agility is only part of the strategy.

For construction-driven sectors such as data centers, speed and coordination matter as much as product availability. Galco’s model is designed to support build-outs by helping contractors and subcontractors get the right components, controls, and support quickly, often while projects are still in design.

Beyond the company’s focus on expanding its capacity to provide enhanced services in water and motion detection, full motor and pump repair, and support in harsh environments, the team continues collaborating with OEMs that support fabricators. “Being a broad-based distributor means we’re not tied to one market. For instance, if food and beverage takes a hit for whatever reason, we still have those other markets,” Muldowney says.

Having driven phenomenal growth since 2019, when the company employed fewer than 100 people, Sabia’s arrival as CEO was a notable game changer, according to Marshall. “When Allison came aboard, we really changed the trajectory of our company, with more forward focus,” he says. Sabia’s vision helped accelerate acquisition, deepen supplier relationships, and support modernization, including the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system.

Beyond significant capital investments by parent company Freeman Spogli, Sabia, who comes from a competitive public company background, is clear on what drives the company’s overall success: “90 percent of it depends on the people—and then obviously aspects like inventory and systems and processes. But if you don’t have the right people sailing the ship, it doesn’t matter,” she says.

Today, the company’s leaders describe the growth journey as demanding, but worth the effort. A newer focus area is data center capability. With leadership identifying hundreds of businesses nationwide that can build and equip large-scale facilities, Galco is positioned to support contractors and specialized contributors, including electrical, cabling, HVAC, and controls companies serving this space.

“It’s not always easy to find those companies when the build-out is ongoing, but it’s been an absolutely great business for us in the last six months to a year,” Muldowney says, noting that recently landing a big client in this space has made the hard work worth it. In this sector, the company’s capabilities in chiller and internal air conditioning controls proved to be a surprise advantage.

Because Galco operates across multiple disciplines, long-term projects have produced substantial results. This proved true in Chattanooga last year, where the team supplied and delivered more than $1,000,000 in products on a tight timeline to keep a major project moving.

Ahead of the trends
Staying data-driven and market-aware is central to staying ahead. Galco’s leaders describe a disciplined approach to research and development, including daily market reporting, third-party research, and close collaboration with suppliers who track demand by region and application. Muldowney notes that semiconductor signals can serve as a leading indicator, helping the team anticipate shifts four to six months ahead. The same rigor extends to Galco’s internal data—especially customer purchasing behavior and digital engagement signals captured through the website. By analyzing what customers search for, compare, add to cart, and ultimately purchase (and where they abandon or ask for support), teams can spot emerging demand patterns earlier, refine assortment decisions, and prioritize inventory and content investments where they’ll have the greatest impact. In combination with supplier intelligence, these first-party insights help leadership make faster, more confident decisions about forecasting, merchandising, and go-to-market strategy.

Sabia is clear on how the company defines success. “To be successful in industrial distribution, you need to realize it is not just about volume. It’s about your reach, capability, and relevance to the customer experience,” she says. The throughline is customer outcomes, especially when downtime is on the line and decisions need to move quickly from design to quote to delivery.

By combining deep inventory, technical services, and a rapidly evolving digital experience, Galco is raising expectations for what industrial distribution can deliver. For customers, that means faster answers, smarter support, and the confidence that the right products and expertise will be there when the job is on the line.

The post Where “Going the Extra Mile” Means “Getting Closer to Your Customer”<p class="company">Galco</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Muskegon’s economy is underpinned by entrepreneurship and a culture of cutting red tape. As a result, investors looking to settle here are met with a warm welcome and generous support from the local economic development department. The city and its economic development department offer progressive zoning reforms and tax incentives, reasonable turnaround times for plan reviews and building inspections, and brownfield development abatements.

“The city of Muskegon is developing the most investment-friendly environment and public service organization in West Michigan,” explains Jake Eckholm, Director of Development Services. Working closely with the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation for Muskegon County and fully supporting its commitment to developing the local workforce means fostering close relationships with all stakeholders across the county.

Impressive growth is driving expansion in the city’s manufacturing, healthcare, and senior living industries, as well as the commercial sector, but the real economic action is in housing. Here, on average, homes are still about a third less expensive than in some neighboring communities. As part of Muskegon’s commitment to help solve West Michigan’s housing dilemma, enabling the construction of new housing in every price range is a large part of the department’s mandate.

To achieve this and help close a 2,924-unit housing gap, including the demand for 1,611 rental units, the city has adapted its zoning codes to accommodate the construction of duplex and triplex units in its residential areas. A plan for 1,500 new units is being rolled out over five years to fulfill the need. More single- and multi-family homes and affordable housing are also in the pipeline.

Together with comparatively smaller developments on the lakeshore, the state’s largest adaptive reuse project, The Shaw Muskegon—formerly home to the largest global furniture fabricator—is now being redeveloped following decades of neglect. The $230 million development will introduce 500 of the city’s planned new units. The project is being built on one of fewer than 10 transformational brownfield plan approvals by Michigan state officials.

Eckholm is proud of the high level of assistance the economic development department provides to developers in navigating their legislative and fiscal responsibilities. “The city of Muskegon offers the whole suite of statutory tax incentives that the state of Michigan provides, but in addition to that, we try to be very forward-thinking on what can help a project succeed,” he says. “I think we are one of the few communities in West Michigan that really make that effort and work with the developer,” as opposed to expecting them to come to the city with their needs.

Due to its vision and commitment to expansion, the department was nominated for the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business Ivory Prize for housing affordability this year, a National top three finalist alongside Los Angeles County and the State of Florida while outperforming cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. The award is in recognition of the city’s development of a brownfield project of approximately 435 city-owned, vacant, residential lots that will soon become housing developed by the city and sold just under value, the shortfalls of which will be covered by proceeds from other properties sold to developers.

Here, developers are permitted to build whatever types of housing they prefer, putting home ownership within reach for a much larger part of the population. “We think we build the most affordable, stick-built, site-built housing in the country,” Eckholm says. As part of these efforts, the department is in the process of completing four low-income housing tax credit projects that will provide 294 affordable workforce units and senior living units.

Part of Muskegon’s invigoration strategy has been to ensure that, while local construction leaders benefit from the expansion, other firms from areas like Southeast Michigan and the Detroit Metro area also have a stake in the city’s growth. “We at the city, when it’s a bid on public work getting done, have a local preference policy,” Eckholm explains. “The job to redevelop this community is large enough for everybody, so we’ve really been focused on bringing more folks into the market at all phases of development.”

This balanced approach has benefited local contractors and allowed operations from across the region to set up satellite operations, promoting equity, investment, diversity, and above all, powerful economic growth.

For prospective investors looking to settle in Muskegon, some land is still available. The city currently has a 30-acre industrial park lot, with private and public utilities. Two comparable lots were recently sold, one of which was purchased by one of Michigan’s largest private research laboratories, Northern Biomedical Research. The second parcel went to Forming Technologies, which recently expanded into a new 215,000-square-foot facility.

Muskegon’s economic development strategy is not all about growth, however. In addition, the team works hard to protect and support the needs of residents who call this beautiful place home. The local people, and especially the youth, who give the place its unique charm and character are very much at the epicenter of the city’s vision. “We want to serve folks that have been here historically, who have stuck with the community,” Eckholm says. Because of a lower education attainment rate, resulting in a lower average income, this work is crucial to improving the prospects of young adults in the area, and this is where welcoming more people becomes important.

By establishing a more robust tax base, more public services become possible. This leads to more meaningful economic collaborations with educational and trade institutions, while rethinking the incarceration system. In this way, the city plans to strengthen and develop its already strong labor force. By attracting companies that pay well, the overall income problem is further addressed on multiple levels.

“We have to leverage this development to benefit folks that are already here,” Eckholm emphasizes, highlighting that, as incomes improve, every addition to the housing market affects another demographic’s housing situation. In light of its most recent census showing a 12,000-person drop since 1950, promoting the city to new arrivals will help achieve the fiscal goals set to improve the quality of life for all.

Muskegon’s existing industries remain resilient, particularly manufacturing, healthcare, and senior living, its biggest employers. Here, too, construction has not lagged; while one former hospital made way for 144 new apartments this year, another was built just six years ago for around $280 million. More recently, a new $90 million Trilogy Health senior living facility, offering a comprehensive service portfolio including memory care, assisted living, and independent living, was also established.

With its focus on the future, Muskegon’s education sector also offers myriad choices. Muskegon Public Schools is one of the first in the country to adopt the Ford Innovation Academy curriculum, providing a wide selection of academic, athletic, and arts activities.

Muskegon’s arts scene is indeed alive and well, and diverse restaurants cater to locals with roots from around the world. Some of the city’s most outstanding amenities include the distinctive and elegant Frauenthal Center, with its old-world romance—a theater and venue for the arts featuring performances by groups visiting from as far away as Ukraine, with a recent visit from the Grand Kiev ballet company. Moreover, the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra regularly performs for residents and visitors who appreciate the delights of classical music.

The Muskegon Museum of Art has the second-largest permanent collection in the state, following Detroit. In addition, its public arts scene is supported by the largesse of a late benefactor and founder of the city’s only company that was ever listed on the S&P 500. Thanks to his foresight in securing funding, the Muskegon City Public Art Initiative was founded in 2018.

A number of sports teams represent the city, which also boasts a junior hockey team, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and an active, city-owned sports arena welcoming visitors in addition to the indoor arena football team, the IronMen. The Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park, meanwhile, is home to winter sports activities. Exceptionally well-equipped with ice-skating, cross-country trails, and much more, “it’s one of the only luge tracks in North America,” Eckholm says.

The natural environment is also on the city’s priorities list. While its mercantile export and import capabilities are among the most solid aspects of its manufacturing economy, the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership, formed by a group of concerned citizens, is in the process of remediating the health of the lake. Following an investment of around $90 million, the situation has already improved for this precious water body. “This year, we were removed from the Areas of Concern List for waterbodies in North America,” Eckholm shares. The lakeshore also has Michigan’s largest operating commercial port, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The possibility of a new park has spurred much public discourse, but caring for nature and debating public spaces are not the only things locals are passionate about. They also enjoy gathering at their local farmers market with 144 seasonal and 24 year-round stands—the second-largest in the state. The market sees around 15,000 visitors pass through on Saturdays in season. Locals also support small businesses, like those in Western Market’s brilliant business incubator initiative, where a delightful row of 17 fledgling enterprises trade unique and exciting wares before launching into bigger premises once they are off the ground.

Having built its wealth first on French trading posts and later on logging, which saw the city supply most of the wood used in Chicago’s reconstruction following its historic fire in 1871, the Muskegon of today is every bit as proactive and future-driven as its founding fathers once were. Care for the people who call Muskegon home is at the center of everything the city does, and the enormously dedicated team upholds and enables progress, taking this city to ever greater heights.

The post Growing Investment One ‘Yes’ at a Time<p class="company">City of Muskegon, Michigan</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.