The City of Largo enjoys a prime location nestled between the sunny shores of Florida’s Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. “We are located close to a lot of great things,” says Mayor Woody Brown. From water sports, fishing, nature preserves, and amusement parks to museums, NFL football, and aquariums, the surrounding area has it all.

From its ease of access to its corporate parks, ongoing investment, and well-managed local government, the City of Sunrise represents the best Florida has to offer. Situated in central-western Broward County – one of the three counties comprising the Miami metropolitan area – Sunrise is a hub for major employers like American Express, Chetu HQ, AT&T, Amazon and Comcast to name just a few. It’s home to many national and global headquarters, along with retail, office and manufacturing businesses in tech, medicine, logistics and other areas.

At first glance, the City of Brockton looks much like one of many leafy, green cities in the American northeast that are shaking out their feathers after the stresses of COVID-19. But, since meeting with three of its inspiring leaders, I am stuck on the theme song from the 1980s box office sensation, Rocky Balboa’s Eye of the Tiger – and the rich texture that this homespun community of almost 106,000 residents has created for itself – despite the global hardships of recent years.

Salem, Massachusetts has earned the tagline ‘Still Making History.’ “We are rooted in history,” says Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Daniel. Founded in 1626, Salem is best known for the infamous witch trials of 1692, which still captivate the public and draw tourists to the community three centuries later.

In Chisago County, Minnesota growth and development is done by design, and thanks to a countywide strategy, great efforts are being taken to collectively leverage the strengths and the growth potential of its cities, townships, and school districts to make the area a vibrant, prosperous, overall great place to be.