Gas prices in the US are rising as refineries begin their seasonal switch to ...

As restaurant owners, staying ahead of consumer trends is crucial for success. The 2024 Diner Dispatch survey by US Foods provides valuable insights into how dining preferences and spending habits are evolving. Here are some key trends and actionable advice to help you pivot or tweak your restaurant plans for 2025:

According to US Foods website: US Foods® is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 30,000 employees and more than 70 locations, they provide customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology, and business solutions. Below is a link to all of their webinar and trainings specific to the restaurant/food industry. US Foods Webinars - Trainings

This information is directly from the EPA.gov The Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities  is a compilation of strategies, organized by 11 common "goal areas," that villages, towns, and small cities can use to evaluate their existing policies to create healthy, environmentally resilient, and economically robust places.  On this page: Background Using the Tool Goal Areas Background This tool provides a checklist of smart growth strategies, which are organized into topical "goal areas," that are relevant to a variety of small towns and rural communities. Representatives from local governments, community-based organizations, or volunteers can use this self-assessment to identify gaps in their policies, plans, codes, and programs; or simply learn more about common smart growth practices. Given the diversity of rural communities, this tool also offers practices that a variety of places have used, with resources and examples from communities around the country. While the self-assessment tool provides examples of specific suggested strategies to address local challenges, it is not prescriptive. Rather, it can help prioritize strategies and identify low-hanging fruit that can move a community closer to its economic, social, and environmental goals.  This self-assessment was developed as part of EPA's Smart Growth Implementation Assistance project in Madison County, New York. For more information about the project, see Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities: Madison County, New York . You can also find more resources on smart growth in small towns and rural communities here .  Using the Tool The Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities tool is broad and interdisciplinary and can help communities identify gaps in their policies, plans, building codes, and zoning regulations by asking a series of "Yes" or "No" questions. All communities should begin by completing the self-assessment's Revitalize Village and Town Centers goal area, which gives a baseline indication of smart growth development policies within the jurisdiction. This section goes beyond regulatory issues to help communities take stock of their local initiatives, strategies, and plans. The latter sections are not mandatory, and the community can complete the goal areas that are most relevant to them. Each of these sections focus on a specific set of issues and will likely require input from multiple parts of the local government, as well as from community residents and other partners.  Although the user does not necessarily need to complete all sections of the self-assessment, this tool works best when communities use it comprehensively, and a local leader - such as a mayor, city manager, town planner, or anyone with a broad community focus - facilitates the process. Goal Areas The individual goal areas of the self-assessment tool are organized as sections and are linked to fillable MS Word documents (which will download automatically when you click on the link) in the numbered list below. A link to the complete PDF is located at the top of the list. Goal Areas Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities (pdf) (2.24 MB, 2015) Revitalize Village and Town Centers (fillable version) (docx) (41.96 KB, 2016)  (mandatory) Strengthen the Local Economy (fillable version) (docx) (33.2 KB, 2016) Improve Health and Promote Active Living (fillable version) (docx) (41.57 KB, 2016) Protect Natural Habitats and Ecosystems (fillable version) (docx) (39.05 KB, 2016) Support Productive Agriculture for a Variety of Markets (fillable version) (docx) (32.14 KB, 2016) Meet Housing Needs for Different Ages and Incomes (fillable version) (docx) (33.91 KB, 2016) Preserve Historic and Cultural Resources (fillable version) (docx) (30.38 KB, 2016) Provide Transportation Choices (fillable version) (docx) (42.53 KB, 2016) Invest in Efficient Public Infrastructure Systems and Operations (fillable version) (docx) (35.67 KB, 2016) Use Energy Efficiently and Provide Renewable Energy (fillable version) (docx) (34.71 KB, 2016)

The US government is currently engaged in ongoing negotiations around international tariffs, with a 10% tariff placed on products...

Trump announces he has instructed the secretary of the U.S. Treasury to stop making pennies...

Escape to the charming Upper Peninsula town of Eagle River for an unforgettable stay at this lighthouse Airbnb in Michigan.

Discover the Small Town Wow - Productivity Planner, your essential digital download for organized success. This all-in-one solution includes a weekly planner, to-do list, SWOT analysis, and more, tailored to meet the unique needs of small town businesses. Best of all, it's 100% free! Simply add it to your shopping cart and receive detailed download instructions via email. Empower your small business today with our free productivity planner and benefit from the comprehensive resources that SmallTownWow provides—celebrating and supporting small town entrepreneurs every step of the way. Canva Download - Productivity Planner

Need to elevate your game when it comes to marketing and branding for your small business, but you don't know where to start? The Complete Branding Planner from SmallTownWow is your ultimate guide to achieving standout results. We celebrate all things small towns and small businesses, providing trainings, business resources, and more to help you shine.

Be A Pineapple: Stand Tall, Wear a Crown, and Be Sweet on the Inside. (See a Pineapple it signifies Social Media Prompts) As January comes to a close, it's a great opportunity to infuse fresh energy into your social media content! With the arrival of a new month, your audience is hungry for inspiration, positivity, and engagement. By tapping into this enthusiasm, you can create posts that connect with and delight your followers. Here are some social media post ideas for the week of January 27th, 2025, designed to spark creativity and captivate your audience!