Study finds top performers over past decade have companies in industries such as software, marketing and finance

The board granted preliminary and final site plan approval to repurpose the vacant Sonic pad at 100 Bayonne Crossing Way as a double‑lane 7 Brew drive‑through, approving variances for parking and signage while requiring final compliance with board engineer comments.

Cameron Parish opened hearings and adopted amendments tightening rules on engine braking, approved recreational-vehicle park revisions, and authorized advertising of an ordinance to create a tourism commission and hotel/motel occupancy tax (beginning a 60‑day process).

After reviewing two RFI responses, the council directed staff to invite Talent Business Alliance to present a detailed operational and financial proposal for a business incubator at the Gateway site and to consider the feasibility study before a final council decision.

An unidentified St. Mary’s County official said the proposed Hollywood cannabis grower is not local and that the county receives only about half of one percent in related tax revenue; the official warned smell can travel miles and urged scrutiny at public hearings.

After lengthy debate and public comment, the Brentwood Planning Board agreed to post draft zoning amendments for public hearing that would revert select commercial‑industrial standards, raise multifamily maximum coverage to 40%, and require 50% of first‑floor square footage in mixed‑use multifamily projects be reserved for commercial uses.

Closure of historic facility follows contract expiration with E. & J. Gallo, raising concerns for local economy and workforce

Hawaii lawmakers face ‘tighter’ economy as 2026 session begins – Hawaii News, Politics | The Garden Island

Mecklenburg County tourism reported direct visitor spending rose about 13% to nearly $130 million in 2024, supporting 879 jobs and generating roughly $7.3 million in state and local taxes; staff cited growth in lodging and short‑term rental inventory.

Closure of historic facility follows contract expiration with E. & J. Gallo, raising concerns for local economy and workforce

Councilors asked city staff to request from the DOT how many public comments were received, whether commenters left contact information, and to provide engineering justifications before the council adopts an official position on the proposed Route 1 ("Arusic River") bridge project.

City staff presented details of Proposition 8, a proposed temporary 0.5% sales tax over five years estimated to generate about $53 million; the council discussed using roughly $46 million for sports‑facility projects (turf conversions, LED lighting, parking, restrooms) and noted any surplus must be spent on sports-user groups.

Council voted 5–2 to accept 3 Green LLC’s request to split a $20,000 charitable contribution into two $10,000 payments later in the year, citing delays in licensing and industry economics; attorney said site plan approval exists but the retailer still needs state operating license.

Fort George Brewing asked Clatsop County to use the Industrial Development Revolving Fund to help install CO2 recapture equipment; brewery and staff say the system could eliminate outside CO2 purchases and produce a model other breweries could copy. Staff will return in two weeks with a $200,000 grant request for board approval.

On second reading the council approved Ordinance No. 1453 to adopt a planned‑development site plan for Maitland Concourse North Lot 3, allowing an anchor retail store (~12,500 sq ft) and additional shops; the applicant and staff said the plan includes landscape buffering and no direct vehicular frontage on Maitland Boulevard.

House leadership and the Georgia Building Authority recognized the team that refurbished the House chamber, citing project measures — more than 500 employees, roughly 400,000 man‑hours, Georgia‑made carpet from Dalton and replacement of an HVAC system dating from the 1950s.

The Lebanon Redevelopment Commission voted to provide Heart of Lebanon $100,000 for the 2026 fiscal year after hearing the nonprofit’s 2025 annual report highlighting new businesses, events and placemaking projects downtown.

The Pawtucket City Council on Jan. 7 approved first passage of a zoning-text amendment to allow retail cannabis by special use permit in specified zones, inserting a 500-foot buffer from preexisting K–12 schools and aligning residential buffers with that distance; supporters urged rules to favor local worker-owned and social-equity applicants.

Representative Jonah Wheeler introduced HB 1580 to impose a 0.75% surcharge on non‑primary residences valued over $500,000, with revenue earmarked for the municipality; supporters say it targets vacant or investor‑held property, while opponents including short‑term rental owners and realtors warned of harm to small owners and tourism and raised administrative concerns.

Students, superintendents and food-service professionals urged the joint education committees to continue $500,000 base appropriations for the Farm to School grant program and the Local Food Incentive program and to maintain universal school meals, citing student health, local economic return, and increased local purchasing.

KINABATANGAN: The tourism potential of Tanjung Aru Island is expected to become a new catalyst for local economic development, especially in empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in the community tourism industry. Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Datuk Mohamad Alamin said the island stands out with its unique floating villages, traditional food products and marine activities that have the potential to be used as a high-impact tourism attraction. “I see a lot of potential here, not only for homestays and tourism assets, but also activities such as deep-sea fishing that can attract local and international tourists. […]

LTAC members said they are preparing toolkits and marketing to help Bothell businesses host watch parties for Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup; discussions covered licensing costs, fan‑zone coordination, vendor toolkits and potential funding for promotion.