Best & Worst States to Start a Business in2025

With around 1 in 5 new businesses failing within the first year and inflation making things even more difficult, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States to Start a Business in 2025, as well as expert commentary, to help people maximize their chances of success by starting in the right location.
WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states across 25 key indicators of startup success. The data set ranges from financing accessibility to labor costs to office-space affordability.
Starting a Business in Kentucky (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

Overall Rank for Kentucky: 10th
14th – Office-Space Affordability
7th – Labor Costs
8th – Availability of Human Capital
16th – Avg. Length of Work Week (in Hours)
7th – Cost of Living

For the full report, please visit:https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-start-a-business/36934

Tampa councilwoman will introduce ordinance for residential and business parking on ‘Yellow Brick Row’

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Photo by Ray Roa

A metered parking spot outside Cafe Hey in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 2, 2024.

While Hope Donnelly listened to Tampa City Council discuss her situation last month, she hoped councilmembers would walk a few steps in her ruby red shoes. Donnelly, owner of the Rialto Theatre, said that after months of pushback on the new parking meters across five blocks of the city’s “Yellow Brick Row”, she’s been consistently reaching out to both the parking division and council hoping to get at least residential parking. Council Member Lynn Hurtak told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that although she never received direct communication, she will introduce an ordinance that includes Franklin Street in an existing city permit program. The program, which Hurtak expects will pass, would grant two residential spots for residents and four business spots for storefronts, Hurtak said. But if complaints were made, even before the meters were activated, why didn’t the permitting happen sooner? “I asked the parking director (Fed Revolte) why haven’t we done this before… we started putting down the meters and knowing the business owners were concerned and he said ‘Well, it’s because we can’t do it, the ordinance has to be done by council’,” Hurtak said. Revolte initially said there was no pushback from the community on the meters being installed. When asked about the delay on the Tampa Parking Division’s communication to the council, a spokeswoman said they had no additional information beyond their first statements to CL. On Dec. 12—nine days after metered parking was activated on Yellow Brick Row—Councilmember Bill Carlson requested a report on businesses at N Franklin Avenue, with the possibility of banning the meters on “Yellow Brick Row.” Carlson mentioned the concern with small businesses in the area. Hurtak interjected. “Here is the thing, we went through the exact same thing with Ybor City. They did not lose business because of this. I asked the Ybor Chamber of Commerce. They lost no businesses. I understand that this is difficult, but just like that, we’ve got to give it a shot before we do something,” Hurtak said in the council meeting. “This is an area that is still developing. It is not like Ybor where there is people and traffic, it is still developing,” Carlson rebutted. Hurtak added that the demand from parking that came from the overflow in Ybor City, Channelside and Armature Works was pouring into Yellow Brick Row, and that the meters were already placed and activated. She said growth from the surrounding areas might bring traffic into the N Franklin Street businesses. Elevation Coffee Heights’s bar manager might agree with Hurtak. Last December, when CL first interviewed employees on Yellow Brick Row, Caleb Wright said his biggest concern were the returning clients that came in for more than coffee. What would they do if parking costs $2 an hour? “It will definitely make people less inclined to stay here for an extended period of time and hang out with us,” he said.“And that is kind of what we are about, what we do, is hang out with people.” When CL returned in January, Wright had a different outlook. In fact, he said they are doing better than average. “Our sales this month actually already surpassed last month’s total. I guess I haven’t noticed a decrease in business,” Wright said.

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Photo by Julia Saad

Kate Swann, owner of the Florida School of Woodwork in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 13, 2025.

Kate Swann, owner of the Florida School of Woodwork, said each business will have a different report to hand back to the council; hers will include the fact that the school will have to spend unexpected funds to cover student parking. “Our students don’t have a place to park for hours on end, they now have to park further away and it’s hard to bring all their tools in,” Swann said. “Obviously as a small business, finding extra money is a hard thing.” At the end of Dec. 12 meeting, the council decided that the business report for Yellow Brick Row should be brought back on Thursday, Feb. 20. Before that meeting, however, Hurtak said her plan is to introduce the ordinance for permitting during the Feb. 6 council meeting. Council, she added, will have to move quickly because of new construction happening in that district, and the demand it will have for street parking. “Could the city have done a bit better with planning for this? Yes, but unfortunately that’s not what occurred, so we are going to do what we can to fix it in the meantime,” Hurtak said. Studies are usually conducted to determine the best outcome for meters in specific areas such as Ybor City or Channelside. Hurtak added that she does not know if a study on the “Yellow Brick Row” district was conducted prior to the installation of the meters. Hurtak said she hopes businesses will gain foot traffic due to the new eight-story residential building and YMCA developments.Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky

Maryland business leaders call for crackdown on organized retail theft

BALTIMORE — Maryland business leaders and advocates are pushing lawmakers to pass a bill that would crack down on organized retail theft and hold offenders accountable. The Organized Retail Theft Act introduced in the General Assembly defines the crime as a series of thefts from one or more retailers over 90 days. Organized retail theft would be a felony under the proposed bill, with penalties varying based on the value of the stolen items. If the value of the stolen property is between $1,500 and $25,000, a maximum sentence of five years could be imposed. If the value of the stolen property is between $25,000 and $100,000, a maximum sentence of 10 years could be imposed. If the value of the stolen property is $100,000 or more, a maximum sentence of 20 years could be imposed. A person convicted of organized retail theft would also have to return the stolen property or pay the full value to the retailer.Under the proposed bill, separate organized crime offenses carried out by the same person could be prosecuted together in any of the counties in which the offenses occurred. The bill would also allow a court to decide if a certain crime should be considered organized retail theft. A similar bill was introduced in 2024 but stalled in the Senate.Business owners speak out The Greater District Heights Community Coalition (GDHCC) is pushing for lawmakers to pass the bill to strengthen protections for businesses and improve community safety. The GDHCC, along with the Maryland Retailers Alliance and other advocates, are expected to hold a news conference Tuesday to share firsthand accounts of how the proposed legislation could help in the fight against organized retail crime. Rise in retail theftRetail theft has increased across the U.S. and in Maryland. According to an October 2024 report from Capital One Shopping’s Research team, retailers in Maryland lost about $1.403 billion in revenue to theft in 2022. 

Some retailers have started to take action against theft. In May 2024, Giant Food enacted a ban on large bags at some locations to fight “unprecedented levels” of theft. The Giant store in Baltimore’s Waverly neighborhood was one of many locations to implement the ban. In August, two Giant grocery stores in Baltimore banned shoppers younger than 17 from entering the store unsupervised after 6 p.m.In a statement, Giant said they initiated the policy at select stores that “are experiencing high shrink to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft that have become unsustainable.” According to Capitol One’s report, retail theft per capita in Maryland is about 15% lower than the average among U.S. states. In November, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown spoke out against organized retail crime after four men were indicted for their involvement in retail burglaries across six counties. “Organized retail crimes are not victimless. Stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from businesses can lead to higher prices for products that Marylanders need, and cost hardworking employees their jobs,” AG Brown said.

How risk mitigation can power strategic business success

Vicky LeVay is senior director of risk, compliance, and information security at accounting software company FloQast. Views are the author’s own. 

For many organizations, compliance is considered a burdensome necessity that’s about following the rules and not wasting any time beyond that. But teams can transform compliance from a reactive legal function to a proactive strategic asset by reframing it as a tool for risk orchestration.

Vicky LeVay
Courtesy of FloQast

Risk orchestration is a way of leveraging compliance to help an organization stay ahead of changes in its business landscape by strategically navigating risks instead of avoiding them. 
Transitioning your compliance function into a strategic tool can help align your organization’s compliance goals with its business strategy, enabling it to meet its goals more effectively while remaining resilient in the face of change.

The first step for transforming compliance into risk orchestration is shifting the perception of what the function is within your organization, especially among those on the finance team whose job is to ensure compliance with legal reporting requirements.
These team members are already thinking about risk — identifying threats and taking steps to control or minimize them. But this narrow focus on risk mitigation can sometimes stifle opportunities for growth and innovation because innovation is often risky. A more comprehensive approach can allow organizations to use risk to their advantage
Of course, what an organization’s compliance function looks like varies depending on its stage of growth, whether it’s privately held or publicly traded and the industries it operates in, among other things. So, a one-size-fits-all approach to compliance won’t work. Each organization must tailor its compliance strategy to its circumstances, ensuring that risk is not only mitigated but managed to support business objectives.
Technology role
Many organizations are not prepared to embrace risk orchestration. A recent survey found that only 16% of compliance professionals feel ready to embrace the strategic capability of risk navigation. Many feel stuck in a cycle of manual, time-consuming tasks, or they lack the support from their organization to think beyond risk mitigation tactics.
This is where technology and team alignment come into play. By adopting technology that automates routine compliance tasks such as reporting, companies can free up their compliance teams to focus on higher-level strategic thinking about those risks. With better visibility into risk data and stronger alignment across the organization, compliance professionals can begin to take an active role in shaping business decisions.

To unlock this potential, organizations must build a foundation of support for their compliance teams. This starts with equipping teams with tools to reduce manual workloads, allowing them to shift from reactive to proactive roles. The next step is fostering a culture where compliance is viewed not as a barrier to innovation but as an enabler of strategic growth.
Ending the mundane
Compliance teams spend too much time on manual tasks – gathering data, preparing reports and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements, which are always evolving. As new regulations are enacted, workloads increase, leaving little capacity for strategic thinking or proactive risk management. If an organization implements automation tools to streamline routine tasks, such as report generation and compliance monitoring, the compliance team can become more efficient. Team members can reduce time spent on manual processes and shift their focus to analyzing trends and identifying risks earlier.
This shifting approach can go beyond leveraging automation; organizations can also prioritize stronger collaboration between compliance and other departments such as business development. This alignment would enable compliance professionals to contribute insights during strategic planning, ensuring that initiatives were launched with an understanding of regulatory implications. For example, when an organization expands into new markets, the compliance team can identify regulatory challenges in advance, allowing the company to navigate them effectively.
Ending the compliance grind
As the business environment evolves, those organizations that reframe compliance will be better positioned to use risk to their advantage. Rather than viewing compliance as a simple checkbox, they will see it as a strategic asset that helps them meet their goals and remain competitive.
Risk mitigation will always be important. However, the future of compliance lies in the ability to embrace risk orchestration. Organizations that support their compliance professionals and reimagine the possibilities of compliance will not only protect themselves from harm but also position themselves for long-term success. By turning compliance into a strategic advantage, businesses can seize opportunities, drive growth and stay ahead of the competition.  

Sri Lanka-Greater Mekong Business Council holds 13th AGM

Executive Committee 2024/2025: Seated from left: Immediate Past President S.M.D. Suriyakumara, Counselor of Thailand Prangtip Kongrittisuksakon, Ambassador of Vietnam Trinh Thi Tam, President Nimal Ratnayake, Ambassador of Myanmar Daw Marlar Than Htaik, Vice President Tilak Goonawardane and Vice President Shameel MohideenCommittee members: Standing from left: Kamal Wimalaratne, Prabhath Nedurana, Denver De Livera, Rakitha de Silva, Mahen Weerasekara, Ranil Seneviratne and Amanthi Silva, Secretariat of The Ceylon Chamber of CommerceNot in the photo: Committee Member Chandana Nanayakkara

President SLGMBC Nimal Ratnayake 

The 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sri Lanka-Greater Mekong Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held recently, at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

The event was graced by Ambassador of Myanmar Daw Marlar Than Htaik, Ambassador of Vietnam Trinh Thi Tam and Counselor of Thailand Prangtip Kongrittisuksakon, with Export Development Board Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe attending as the guest speaker. 

Tam, addressing the gathering, mentioned how Sri Lanka and Viet Nam share many similarities in history, geography and culture. She highlighted the opportunities in key sectors for development, including textiles, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, logistics infrastructure (airports and seaports) and tourism. She also said that The Sri Lanka-Greater Mekong Business Council and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce have been pivotal in connecting and strengthening business relations between the two countries. Further she mentioned that The Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka is committed to supporting businessmen in both countries, providing information on potential business and investment opportunities and as business cooperative activities and invited businesses in Sri Lanka to leverage these opportunities. 

Htaik, during her remarks, highlighted the growing opportunities in Myanmar in sectors such as trade, investment and tourism, to expand their businesses and develop bilateral trade and relations. She highlighted that being tropical countries with similar climate, Myanmar is keen to engage in knowledge exchange with Sri Lanka, particularly focusing on modern farming techniques and food processing. 

Kongrittisuksakon, in her remarks mentioned that the signing of the Sri Lanka-Thailand FTA is a new milestone in long-standing relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka. The two countries may exchange products that are in need and that increase options to benefit the people. Thailand is focusing on clean technology, agro processing and bio-based activities, smart electronics, medical and wellness, digital as well as creative sectors, all of which offer significant opportunities. She encouraged Thailand and Sri Lanka to join hands in bringing ancient and traditional wisdoms, combined with appropriate science and technology, to enhance sustainability and people’s well-being. To do this, the Royal Thai Embassy, in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, is organising an activity entitled ‘Business Opportunities Between Thailand and Sri Lanka: Food, Agriculture and Health for Sustainable Prosperity and Well-Being’ to be held during February 2-6, 2025, in Thailand.

Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC Chief Marketing Officer Nimal Ratnayake was elected as President for the year 2024-2025 by the members. 

In his address, he shared his vision for the future: “Over the past year, the Sri Lanka-Greater Mekong Business Council has made significant strides in strengthening our relationships with the ASEAN nations, particularly with Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

“As we all know, the Greater Mekong region is a dynamic and rapidly growing economic hub. As part of the ASEAN community, these nations represent one of the largest economic powerhouses in the world, forming the fifth-largest economy globally and the third-largest trade bloc, following the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement. With its diverse cultures, strategic locations and untapped potential, it presents vast opportunities for collaboration and investment. As the Sri Lanka-Greater Mekong Business Council, our mission is to serve as the bridge that connects these opportunities with the expertise, resources and vision of Sri Lanka’s business community. Thank you for your trust and let’s embark on this exciting journey of opportunity and collaboration.” 

MAC Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd Director/Chief Financial Officer Tilak Goonawardane and Spillburg Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd Chief Executive Officer Shameel Mohideen were elected as Vice Presidents. The member companies, Advantis Projects and Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd, ASL Logistics CMB (Pvt.) Ltd, Advantis Freight (Pvt.) Ltd, OpenArc Systems Management (Pvt.) Ltd and Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd were elected to the committee. 

S.M.D. Suriyakumara of Maliban Bioventures Ltd, Ranil Seneviratne of Ranfer Teas (Pvt.) Ltd and Mahen Weerasekera of Capital Developers Ltd were appointed as Honorary Members to the committee.

The SLGMBC is dedicated to strengthening trade, investment and tourism relationships between Sri Lanka and Greater Mekong nations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The council maintains strong diplomatic ties with the Greater Mekong missions in Sri Lanka.

Optimising Business Growth with Transformative B2B Lead Generation Techniques

As the business world continues to evolve digitally, B2B lead generation remains at the heart of driving growth and fostering long-term relationships. With new challenges in 2025, companies must continuously adapt their strategies to connect with the right prospects and convert them into loyal customers. The key is balancing traditional methods with cutting-edge tactics that reflect the shifting landscape.In this blog, we’ll explore the best B2B lead generation tactics for 2025, from the tried-and-true approach of cold calling to the ever-growing influence of SEO and other essential strategies. Let’s unlock the secrets to building a pipeline of quality leads and boosting your business success in 2025.
1. Cold Calling: Still a Classic but with a Modern Twist
Cold calling often gets a bad rap, but it remains one of the most effective ways to connect with potential B2B clients directly. In 2025, however, successful cold calling requires more than just dialing numbers. Today’s cold callers need to be strategic, data-driven, and well-prepared to offer value in the first few seconds of the conversation.
Key Tips for Effective Cold Calling:

Personalization is Key: Research your prospects before reaching out. Understand their business, pain points, and goals so you can offer relevant solutions.
Prepare a Strong Pitch: Have a well-crafted script but be flexible enough to adjust based on the conversation. Focus on how your solution addresses their unique needs.
Follow Up: Persistence is key. If a prospect isn’t interested initially, follow up with a thoughtful email or call in a few weeks to keep the conversation alive.

2. SEO: Unlock the Power of Organic Search to Capture Quality Leads
Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential tactic for generating leads in 2025. When your website ranks high on search engines, you’re more likely to attract prospects actively searching for solutions you offer. SEO not only helps you increase visibility but also builds trust with your target audience.
Why SEO Works:

Targeted Traffic: By optimizing your website for relevant keywords, you can attract the right prospects who are already interested in what you have to offer.
Cost-Effective: Unlike paid ads, SEO offers long-term benefits, helping you secure organic traffic without ongoing costs.
Builds Credibility: High-ranking websites are perceived as authoritative and trustworthy, which increases the chances of conversions.

SEO Best Practices for B2B Lead Generation:

Keyword Research: Identify keywords that your prospects are searching for and integrate them into your content.
Content Optimization: Publish informative, high-quality content that answers your audience’s questions and establishes your expertise.
Technical SEO: Ensure that your website’s structure, speed, and mobile-friendliness are optimized for search engines and user experience.

3. Content Marketing: Educate and Engage Your Audience
Content marketing remains one of the most powerful tools for attracting and nurturing B2B leads. In 2025, B2B buyers are more likely to make purchasing decisions based on the value and insight provided by the content they consume.
Why Content Marketing Works:

Educational Content: By providing insightful, valuable content, you build trust with potential leads and position your business as an industry expert.
Lead Nurturing: Content marketing allows you to nurture leads over time by providing the right information at the right stages of their buying journey.
Boosts SEO: High-quality content improves your website’s SEO performance, driving more organic traffic and generating quality leads.

Effective Content Marketing Strategies:

Create Relevant Blog Posts: Write blogs that address common pain points and questions your target audience has.
Use Case Studies and Testimonials: Showcase real-life examples of how your product or service has solved problems for other businesses.
Offer Lead Magnets: Provide valuable resources, such as eBooks or whitepapers, in exchange for contact information.

4. Email Marketing: Nurture Leads with Targeted Campaigns
Email marketing continues to be one of the most effective lead generation tactics, allowing you to engage with prospects directly. The power of email lies in its ability to deliver personalized content and offers to a targeted audience at the right time.
Why Email Marketing is Crucial:

Direct Communication: Email allows you to reach leads directly in their inbox, offering a more personal touch compared to other channels.
High ROI: Email marketing often provides one of the highest returns on investment compared to other lead generation strategies.
Automation: With email automation, you can send tailored messages based on user behavior, nurturing leads through the funnel without manual intervention.

Email Marketing Best Practices:

Segment Your List: Divide your email list into segments based on factors like industry, company size, and behavior to send relevant messages.
Personalize Your Emails: Personalization boosts engagement. Use the recipient’s name and tailor your message to their needs.
Optimize for Mobile: Ensure that your emails are mobile-friendly, as many business professionals check emails on their phones.

5. Link Building: Strengthen Your Online Authority
Link building is a critical aspect of SEO and lead generation. When reputable websites link to your content, it not only improves your search engine rankings but also establishes your authority in your industry. In 2025, effective link building is about building relationships and earning quality backlinks from relevant sources.
Why Link Building Works:

Improves SEO: Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors for search engines. The more quality backlinks you have, the higher your site will rank.
Increases Referral Traffic: Links from relevant sites can drive traffic to your website, increasing your chances of converting visitors into leads.
Builds Credibility: When respected websites link to your content, it signals trust and authority, making prospects more likely to engage with your brand.

Link Building Strategies to Try:

Guest Blogging: Write high-quality guest posts on industry blogs and include backlinks to your website.
Create Linkable Assets: Develop resources like guides, research reports, or infographics that others will want to link to.
Build Relationships: Engage with influencers, bloggers, and other businesses in your industry to earn valuable backlinks.

Conclusion
In 2025, B2B lead generation requires a multi-faceted approach that combines traditional tactics with modern strategies. Whether you’re using cold calling to directly engage with prospects, leveraging SEO to increase visibility, or nurturing relationships through content marketing and email campaigns, mastering these tactics will position your business for success. Don’t forget the power of link building to strengthen your online authority and improve your search engine rankings.
Embrace these strategies, adapt them to your unique business needs, and start generating quality leads that drive growth and success!

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 • Will a Dyer Mt. resort ‘save’ Westwood? Business owners react to news of new owners

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 edition of the Lassen County Times.The announcement that Dyer Management LLC signed an agreement with Lassen County in December 2009 assuming all rights and responsibilities for the construction of the four-season resort southwest of Westwood brought a variety of reactions from local business owners.Some were enthusiastic and others were skeptical. Don Biggs, owner of Biggs Butchery, views the project as an antidote for the sagging economy.“It will do more than provide jobs, it will help the area overall. I think the economic boost will be amazing,” said Biggs.He added that the town is experiencing a trying time evidenced by the number of businesses that have either closed or no longer operate in Westwood. For example, Northeastern Rural Health Clinics closed the medical center, Flanigan-Leavitt Insurance Agency closed its Westwood office and the owners of the local pharmacy closed the business.Plumas Bank is closing its Westwood branch in February 2010. BJ North, executive vice president of retail banking, explained during an August 2009 meeting with residents that Plumas Bank is a business that has to be in a community with potential to grow. A profitable bank must bring in $20 million and the Westwood branch averages $9 million to $10 million. She said there was potential for growth when developers were planning to build the Dyer Mountain Resort, but the project failed.The Dyer Mountain project is not necessarily the answer, said Mike Young, owner of Young’s Super Market. He said he remains neutral on the subject.“I don’t want to takes sides. If it was to happen good; if not, try something else. The town needs something because it is stale,” he explained.The Westwood Chamber of Commerce supports the project.“The Chamber has always supported the development and continues to do so. I believe Westwood needs this project now more than ever for the jobs it would create to the tax money that would go to our schools,” said Jodie Gunn, chamber president.Frankie Couch, owner of A Place to Bead, moved to Westwood four and a half years ago, long after the debate over the pros and cons of the development that was approved by Lassen County voters in November 2000.Having moved from Eureka, she said she knows that projects like Dyer Mountain take time due to such requirements as an environmental impact report, which is an important safeguard. Yet at this point, after 10 years in the planning stages, Couch is a little skeptical about the development. If it comes about it will bring more customers to the businesses in Westwood, she said. Of course, that is good for business, she added.Ron Lunder, owner of Mountain Meadows Mead, is also skeptical about the project finding it hard to believe there is financing available.“We can all be pleased that a Delaware corporation has promised to help Lassen County with legal fees to defend the doomed Dyer Mountain project. In the current real-estate market and credit market, if a Delaware corporation assumes a $50 million debt secured by a property that is worth perhaps $5 million as timberland, they must have a plan. But until they can pay $1.6 million in back taxes to Lassen County, we must be skeptical. As Joe the Plumber says, ‘Money talks and b*llsh*t walks.’ Show us the money,” wrote Lunder in his response via e-mail to a question posed by the Westwood PinePress about the news of new Dyer Mountain owners.Lunder also questions whether a ski resort would ever be built on Dyer Mountain. “A ski resort on Dyer Mountain? It is January, where is the snow?” he wrote.Alex de Martimprey, owner of Lassen True Value Hardware and Lumber, looks at the amount the “new” owners already invested in the Dyer Mountain project as former investors in Dyer Mountain Associates as a reason to believe they will be vigilant.“People don’t throw good money after bad money,” he reasoned when analyzing the news that Dyer Management LLC would put money in an escrow account for legal fees incurred by Lassen County that are associated with defending the project.The investors deposited $271,083.92 in the account making it current. The Lassen County Board of Supervisors was given this information at the Jan. 5, 2010 meeting.De Martimprey said that while the Dyer Mountain project may prove in the future to be beneficial to Westwood it has no impact on the current business situation. Lassen True Value Hardware is one business that may not be able to continue to ride out the tough economic times and remain open.He said his father purchased the hardware store in 1973 and he joined the business in 1975 so the family company has been serving Westwood for 37 years. The present economy was the toughest it had ever been and store sales were down.“I just don’t know how we will hold on through the winter months. It could be too late for a lot of us,” said de Martimprey.Couch said that in addition to providing more customers for local business, the Dyer Mountain project might be good for the community as a whole. She said people need jobs and also there is not a lot to do in the area. Yet she doesn’t want the development to change the community too much.“I would like to see Westwood grow a little but not change too drastically,” she said.

How is Climate Change Poised to Impact Your Business? – LSE’s Executive Education

LSE’s Executive Education programme ‘Climate Change: Economics and Governance’ provides leaders with the big picture on climate change, so you can formulate competitive strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
Led by LSE’s renowned Grantham Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, this five-day course brings together ground-breaking international expertise on economics, finance, geography, international development, and political economy. Participants of the programme emerge with the skills to leverage climate models and science to trace the link between carbon emissions and economic growth and competitiveness.
You’ll be joined by a cohort of senior leaders from a broad diversity of roles, organisations, sectors and geographies where your learning experience will be enriched by dynamic group discussion with your faculty and peers.
“All organisations face risks but also opportunities from climate change and the better their employees are able to assess these risks and opportunities and respond to them, the better the organisations are going to do.”
Professor Simon Dietz, Professor of Environmental Policy
Taking place at the LSE campus in London from 24-28 February 2025, sign up today to position your organisation at the forefront of positive and proactive change.
Secure your place.

“Keep going”: Spice business owner begs community trust for a stand at Khayelitsha mall, SA touched

A business lady from Khayelitsha shared a heartfelt video, asking for people to repost in hopes of reaching mall officials and securing a chance to sell her spices in an exhibition standIn a TikTok video, the determined entrepreneur revealed that she had been trying to break into the mall space to grow her businessSocial media users from Cape Town and beyond flooded the comment section, expressing their support and encouraging herA local babe selling spices shared a video, hoping it would reach the Khayelitsha Trust Committee, seeking a stand inside a mall to sell her spices. Image: @wendy_somlayiSource: TikTokThey say successful businesses need someone bold and persistent, knocking on doors until one opens. One woman from Khayelitsha embodied this spirit. After trying to break into the mall space, she got the online crowd to help her circulate her plea until someone in the Khayelitsha Community Trust Committee saw it. The spice business owner shared the bold video on her TikTok account under the handle@wendy_somlayi, attracting many positive responses from social media users who were proud of her. Read also”Take note boys”: Young lady shows guys Valentine’s Day tutorial, SA huns approveThe young lady seeks a space to sell her productsThe clip begins with @wendy_somlayi selling spices at a stand she borrowed from a woman who will only return in a week, just outside the mall. Wendy candidly shares her struggles to connect with the management of Khayelitsha Mall, expressing her hope to secure an exhibition stand inside the mall to sell her spices. She also takes the opportunity to educate viewers on the benefits of some of the spices she sells, mostly priced at R10, including turmeric, parsley, mixed herbs, and more.Watch the video below: The woman wins many heartsThe lady’s video attracted many comments from social media users who wanted to support her business. Many shared the clip, hoping it would reach the right people to listen to @wendy_somlayi’s plea. Others promised to visit her stand when they go around Khayelitsha.A small business owner shared her ambition to get a stand in Khayelitsha mall and later get a shop. Image: Wendy SomlayiSource: FacebookUser @Sylvia Ngalo245 said:Read also2024 matric pupil shows off rewards for being one of Gauteng’s top achievers, SA reacts”Love it, my gal. Wish you were in Strand, also.”User @TopDog asked:”Are you selling spices or herbs?”User @Mabuyi Joubert shared:”Hi, I’m in Khayelitsha, nditenga kuwe (I buy from you). I’ll plug you with relevant people. Keep doing what you’re doing; love your spices.”User @N22zelo added:”Wow, Sisi. Keep Going Ntombazane. You are going far, never give up. I have reposted your video.”User @Jessica Jonga commented: “Please try and ship around South Africa using courier services.”User @Sabiraa_VW said:”As someone who has never seen a black South African selling spices, babes am so proud of you and how well-informed you are, may God see you to success🖤🌹🌹.”3 Other Briefly News Township success stories Source: Briefly News