In Hayward, CA (est. pop. 155,672), a grant program has been helping local restaurants go viral. Known as Hashtag Hayward, the program combines placemaking with content creation by social media pros. In two rounds of awards, the Hashtag Hayward program provided grants of up to $10,000 apiece to small businesses. The money was targeted primarily…To read more — login/subscribe
For nearly four decades, the Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival has transformed downtown Fort Worth, TX (est. pop. 976,932), into an open-air cultural destination. The four-day spring celebration draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, blending art, food, and live entertainment across 18 city blocks. The 39th annual event is scheduled for April 2026. The…To read more — login/subscribe
Residents of rural Snyder, TX (est. pop. 11,200), joke that the West Texas town is 90 miles from anything. Behind the self-deprecation lies community pride, which is illustrated by such clean and safe initiatives as Take Back Sparkle City. The National Civic League named Snyder a finalist for the All-America City awards in 2025. While…To read more — login/subscribe
Many city’s are striving to make their downtowns more livable and walkable, and for some that means carving out more space for trees amid the concrete. However, federal funding for urban forestry is fading. While the Biden administration prioritized climate change and tree canopies, the Trump administration has different priorities. Planning magazine reports on the…To read more — login/subscribe
Hartsville, SC (est. pop. 7,422), has used a three-pronged approach to breathe life into downtown — partner with the local private university, promote the arts, and organize a farmers market. Michelle Brown, director of Main Street Hartsville, points to a town-and-gown link with Coker University, a private school of about 1,100 students. “By intentionally connecting…To read more — login/subscribe
Food festivals stimulate local economies by attracting visitors and spending, they promote and preserve local culture by showcasing food traditions, and they foster local pride. Many of the most successful food festivals are homegrown events that resonate with locals and attract curious nonlocals. A careful look at a community’s history, industry, and food producers will…To read more — login/subscribe
Fifteen years ago, American Express created Small Business Saturday to encourage consumers to shop locally on the last Saturday of November. This year, American Express is expanding its small business support with a grant program. The Amex Shop Small Grants Program will allow eligible small businesses to apply for one of 250 initial grants of…To read more — login/subscribe
Holiday Trail boosts local shopping The City of Kenora and the Harbourtown BIZ created the Kenora Holiday Trail, a shopping initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally. Participants purchased the Holiday Trail Guide for $30. The guide featured one special gift available at each of 15 local businesses. The value of each…To read more — login/subscribe
It’s no secret that Downtown Denver’s commercial real estate market has experienced more than its share of struggles. The district’s total office vacancy was 33 percent as of the third quarter of 2025, according to commercial real estate brokerage Avison Young. Meanwhile, the Downtown Denver Partnership says the retail vacancy rate is about 30 percent…To read more — login/subscribe
