The Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA) is a private, non-profit economic development organization that serves Doña Ana County, New Mexico. MVEDA was formed in 1994, with representatives from both the public and private sectors working together in the economic interest of the local and regional economy of the Mesilla Valley.

Dearborn Michigan is a community where neighbors still greet each other by name and younger generations choose to stay and raise their children on the same block where they were raised. “This is the kind of place where people grow up and then start their families here,” says Dearborn Area Chamber President Jackie Lovejoy. “They live four doors down from their folks; the elementary school teachers that thought them teach their kids. We really are hometown America.”

The fourth largest city in the state of West Virginia, historic Parkersburg is located where the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers meet. The city was once a railroad terminus and a key location for goods to be transported via steamboat about fourteen miles north to Marietta, Ohio.

The City of Troy, New York is a historic urban core with a vibrant history that remains imprinted on its streets and buildings. It had a long legacy of manufacturing and was a bustling centre of development during the industrial revolution. Today, the local economy has made a resurgence as a hub for businesses, professionals, artists and tech entrepreneurs alike.

Located in the heart of the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Smyth County has a rich history, a prosperous and growing economy and an unmatched quality of life. Though it has a population of only 33,000, this predominantly rural county has a lot to offer and has shown resilience, creating a local economy that can overcome the volatility of the always changing global market.

For over thirty years, Allstar Construction has been evolving into a specialized contractor, whose niche market includes the building of high-end homes, building maintenance and insurance restoration.

Orange County provides an ideal mix of rural living and urban access. The county lies at approximately the halfway point on America’s east coast, close to airports, ports, interstates – and plenty of business opportunities.

Abraham Lincoln was wisely referring to the process of visioning and planning when he noted, “the best way to predict the future is to create it yourself.”

Panama City, on the Florida panhandle, is set against a climate that is as close to perfect as possible. Panama City is widely acknowledged for its wonderful resorts and deepwater fishing port on St. Andrew Bay. Perfect for families, sportsmen, hikers, bikers, swimmers, theater-lovers and more, the area provides year-round access to first-rate amenities in one of the most scenic areas of Florida.

Once a center for the textile industry, Greenville, South Carolina has reinvented itself as a mecca for a diverse range of industries – as well as for the arts – transforming what was once a sleepy southern town into a booming international hub.

Darlington County, the subject of the Bruce Springsteen song of the same name, was one of the first counties established in the United States. Despite a population of fewer than 69,000, this South Carolina county has been able to draw some impressive numbers when it comes to capital investment. Business in Focus spoke with Executive Director for Economic Development at Darlington County Frank Willis to get the full story.

Greenwood Partnership Alliance (GPA) was one of the first public-private collaborations in South Carolina to encourage economic development. Now, for over 25 years, its innovative leadership has worked to advance the county’s economy.

Northeast North Carolina is brimming with potential. The four county sub-region of Hertford County, Halifax County, Northampton County and Bertie Counties has all the pieces in place for economic success, from its ideal location and business-friendly attitude to its vast tracts of developable land and strong industrial history.

Belleville, Illinois celebrated 200 years of success in 2014. But, the city isn’t resting on its laurels; after two centuries of growth and development, the largest City south of Springfield, IL continues to plan for the future.

Imagine that you are about to start up a business. You need a test market – a place that is both business friendly and has the demographics required to gauge the potential for success. Schaumburg, Illinois, is that place.

The City of Duluth, Minnesota has evolved from its days of heavy manufacturing, lumber, steel and concrete production to support diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, technology and aviation. Mayor Don Ness spoke with Business in Focus once again about the development and progress Duluth has made since we last featured the city in June of 2014. “Our economic development projects continue to move forward,” says the Mayor.

In the last decade, the Wiregrass Region of Alabama has emerged as a hotspot for advanced industries ranging from manufacturing all the way through to aeronautics…

In recent years, Colorado has become the destination of choice for people searching for a better quality of life and lower cost of doing business. The trendy Front Range has long been the main draw – until now…

Located along the Colorado River in Mesa County Colorado, the Grand Valley is a community that has moved to the forefront of national development as a result of its advantageous economic climate…

Although the Fremont Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) has been in existence for thirty-two years, it has taken significant strides over the last few years to market the county’s natural assets and ensure it is equipped with the tools and resources necessary for economic development and success.