When Jamil Murji departed from his career in the world of finance, he sought to satisfy his entrepreneurial spirit by finding a market that would show promise long into the future. “Everything needs to be moved on a truck. If you look back at 2013, why I entered this industry was that ten percent of the economy is logistics,” noted Murji. Whether by rail, marine, air, highway transportation or warehousing, “everything has to move.”

MES, Inc. delivers complete supply chain management solutions that allow North American OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to outsource the entire manufacturing process. The Columbus, Ohio-based business maintains offices in China, India, and Mexico, giving the company easy access to high quality manufacturers.

The philosophy of Hi-Way 13 Transport Ltd. is simple: “logistics is about going the extra mile.” While other companies see logistics as mere transportation, Hi-Way 13 considers it to be about hauling freight seamlessly, and focusing on employees and customers. This is an Alberta-based general freight truck loading company and oilfield specialty carrier, also providing heated warehousing and outside oilfield pipe storage.

Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It’s the only way to live
In cars.
-Gary Numan, Cars

Paramount Automotive Group of North Carolina offers a range of automobiles with impeccable service that customers can trust. From function to performance, the needs and wants of the buyer are always the top priority.

Each day, millions of vehicles with potentially dangerous defects are travelling on highways and roads. It is estimated that one in six vehicles in Canada have an outstanding safety recall. These vehicles carry our friends, our families, our coworkers and community members.

Garner, North Carolina is an example of a town that is on the move, and for good reason. It has a population of close to 30,000 people and lies within Wake County, ideally situated less than ten minutes from Raleigh, making it convenient to urban amenities, but still affordable.

Iredell County, with a population of approximately 160,000, is a welcoming community located in North Carolina. No more than a couple of hours away from both the ocean and the mountains, it may appear small, but its close proximity to a major metro market makes it a very diverse area, full of opportunities for families and businesses to grow.

Founded by the French over three hundred years ago, Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase and predates the founding of New Orleans in May of 1718 by four years.

St. Mary Parish is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. Multi-modal transportation avenues and 660 miles of navigable inland waterways make this an ideal place for the shipping, fabrication and fishing industries. Situated between New Orleans and Lafayette, this area has grown from an agricultural base to a mix of agriculture and industry.

Jefferson Davis Parish was founded in 1912 and encompasses 659 square miles containing the five incorporated towns of Elton, Fenton, Welsh, Jennings (the parish seat) and Lake Arthur.

The Allen Parish Tourist Commission welcomes all to Allen Parish to take part in the unique culture of Cajun Country and have a true Southern Louisiana experience. The population of Allen Parish is approximately 24,000, with Oakdale as the largest city, which has about 8,000 residents.

Located in South Central Acadiana, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana has been dubbed the “most Cajun place on earth.” The Cajun way of life has certainly influenced the history, culture and flavor of Vermilion Parish, but the community’s diversity – be it cultural, economic or social – is its greatest asset.

Tangipahoa takes its name from an Acolapissa word meaning ‘those who gather corn.’ But these days the parish is gathering a lot more than corn. Instead it’s gathering high-tech industries and major distribution centers on industry-ready sites 40+ feet above sea level, and offering residents and visitors “more fairs and festivals than anywhere in the world.”

Recently, Business in Focus spoke with Chief Executive Officer Brenda Bertus and Development Director Ashley Cangelosi Llewellyn of the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation (STEDF) to learn more about this rapidly growing, diverse, and business-friendly parish and how its focus on people and place has created a community that is ripe for business opportunity.

What’s not to love in Louisiana? Everything from the infectious southern hospitality to the music, a history rich in Creole and Cajun culture, festivals, and the great outdoors are just some of the things that make the state both enticing and endearing for those who live there or simply visit.

Fayetteville, Georgia, is a historic Southern city that is growing and embracing new development. A vibrant downtown area and investments by the entertainment industry are fueling the city’s growth.

Located in the Land of the Midnight Sun, in Canada’s Northwest Territories, the town of Inuvik draws visitors from around the world who are fascinated by its rugged beauty and many unique charms. For those seeking a truly unique adventure, the town and surrounding areas have plenty to offer during both winter and summer seasons.

Davie is a thriving community based in what was, just a little over a century ago, unsettled Florida wilderness. Currently enjoying a major growth spurt, the town’s highly educated residents live in a region abounding in quality post-secondary schools and a breadth of economic development activity.

Shelton, Connecticut is making headlines for its low cost of living. “We are the most affordable place in Connecticut,” says Mayor Mark Lauretti. “And we are consistently and historically affordable. When you don’t raise your taxes for eight years, or your mil rates either stay the same or go down 19 years out of the past 26 years, I’d say you’re pretty consistent, pretty predictable.”