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Heartland Forward Releases 2024 “Most Dynamic Micropolitans” Report, Highlights Resilience and Growth in America’s Small Cities

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The report details how trends in tourism and manufacturing contribute to the overall economic strength of micropolitan regions

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Heartland Forward – a policy think-and-do tank working as a resource for states and communities to advance the economic success in the middle of the country – today released its biennial report, “Most Dynamic Micropolitans”. It ranks 527 micropolitan areas – municipalities with populations of 10,000 to 50,000 – across the entire United States based on economic performance. Los Alamos, N.M.; Jefferson, Ga.; and Jackson, Wyo.Idaho ranked as the top three most dynamic micropolitans. Outdoor recreation, tourism and manufacturing were the most common strengths among the top 25.

The economic impact of the pandemic intensified existing challenges facing micropolitan areas, where more than 27 million Americans live. As these communities represent a significant portion of the population, it is essential to invest in creating strong, resilient environments that enable residents to thrive. Such investments empower local populations and serve as a model for sustainable community development across the nation.

“Micropolitans are often overlooked, yet they play a crucial role in America’s economy,” said Ross DeVol, president and CEO of Heartland Forward. “Our report shows how these innovative communities are thriving, offering a blueprint for other small cities.”

Over half of the top 200 and nearly half of the top 100 micropolitans are in the heartland, with a strong manufacturing base, diverse economies, proximity to major metropolitans and demand for skilled labor as significant drivers for successful micropolitan communities.

Seven of the top 10 micropolitans rely on tourism to drive their economy, leveraging their access to natural destinations and recreational amenities to attract visitors from across the country. Many micropolitans also benefit from robust manufacturing industries that serve as a source for well-paying jobs and technological innovation. In Arkansas, for example, Blytheville and Magnolia are manufacturing hubs employing thousands of highly skilled workers with competitive wages, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.

The rise of hybrid and remote work has led to a growing non-native population, fueling growth in these communities and the introduction of new industries. The report emphasizes the importance of economic diversification, noting regions dependent on a single industry face greater volatility. Notably, Los Alamos, N.M., ranks first for the second year in a row. The expansion of Los Alamos National Laboratory has contributed to the region registering the highest overall employment growth on our economic momentum measure, which tracks jobs added between September 2022 and September 2023 (12.3%).

“Each year, our analysis of the economic conditions of micropolitans helps public policymakers, businesses and researchers plan strategically, drive sustainable growth and foster resilience in these vital communities,” said Jackson Li, a report author and research associate at Heartland Forward.

The Rankings
Top 25 Micropolitan Areas for 2024

Los Alamos, N.M.Jefferson, Ga.Jackson, Wyo.IdahoHeber, UtahKey WestKey Largo, Fla.Cedar City, UtahTown of Pecos, TexasMonticello, N.Y.Breckenridge, Colo.Hailey, IdahoRifle, Colo.Edwards, Colo.Hobbs, N.M.Fredericksburg, TexasSpearfish, S.D.Steamboat Springs, Colo.Durant, Okla.Brenham, TexasSandpoint, IdahoKalispell, Mont.Rexburg, IdahoSeaford, Del.Sevierville, Tenn.Granbury, TexasNantucket, Mass.

Heartland Forward assessed the micropolitans by analyzing key economic indicators, including average pay, employment, real GDP and personal income. The methodology examines short-term (2021-2022) and medium-term (2017-2022) growth, focusing on metrics like young-firm employment and knowledge intensity.

Access the full 2024 Most Dynamic Micropolitans report here for detailed rankings and city profiles. To learn more about Heartland Forward, please visit https://heartlandforward.org.

About Heartland Forward
Heartland Forward is a policy think-and-do-tank dedicated to being a resource for states and local communities in the middle of the country. We do this by studying broad economic trends and building data-driven and community-tested partnerships, programs and policies to address the needs of the heartland – all while helping to change the narrative about the middle of the country and kick-starting economic growth.

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SOURCE Heartland Forward

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Alive App Is Riding India’s Experience Economy Wave

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BENGALURU, India, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What began as occasional weekend plans is increasingly becoming a lifestyle choice for urban Indians. According to insights from Alive App, India’s AI-powered platform for curated lifestyle experiences, consumers are actively seeking meaningful experiences closer to home, signalling a broader shift in how leisure time is being spent.

The company’s latest platform data shows that more than 90% of bookings are for local experiences, with consumers increasingly choosing activities located within driving distance of their cities over conventional entertainment or short-haul travel. Rather than travelling farther, people are looking for experiences that help them disconnect, learn something new or celebrate occasions in more memorable ways.

This shift has translated into strong business momentum for Alive. Since November 2025, the company has seen more than double growth in its Bengaluru business, alongside rapid expansion of its creator ecosystem and growing adoption across both consumers and enterprises. Bengaluru continues to be Alive’s largest and first profitable market, while Hyderabad and Mumbai have emerged as its fastest-growing cities.

Adventure, outdoor and DIY experiences continue to attract the highest demand, while wellness has emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories. The platform also records significant spikes during Valentine’s Day and long weekends, reflecting how experiences are increasingly replacing traditional dining, gifting and weekend outings.

Unlike conventional activity marketplaces that primarily aggregate listings, Alive works with creators to conceptualise, build and launch original experiences. Today, more than 95% of experiences available on the platform are exclusive or curated specifically for Alive, spanning everything from sailing, surfing and pottery to perfume-making, tea blending, heritage walks and artisan-led workshops.

The creator ecosystem has also expanded significantly, with Alive witnessing strong growth in the number of experience partners joining the platform while maintaining high retention. By combining AI-powered discovery, operational tools and personalised recommendations with human curation, the platform enables creators to focus on designing unique experiences while simplifying everything from customer support and scheduling to content creation.

The corporate segment is emerging as another strong growth engine. Alive is seeing increasing demand from companies looking to move beyond traditional team outings and offsites towards more immersive experiences that encourage collaboration, creativity and employee engagement. Interest from businesses has grown steadily over the past several months, reflecting a broader shift in how organisations are investing in workplace culture.

Commenting on the trend, Vivek Kumar, Founder & CEO of Alive App, said:

“When we started Alive, we believed people weren’t looking for more things to buy, they were looking for more ways to live. Over the last several months, we’ve seen that play out across the platform. People are choosing to spend their weekends learning pottery, sailing, making perfume or exploring a farm instead of doing the same things they’ve always done. That’s a behavioural shift, not a seasonal trend. At the same time, creators are building sustainable businesses around these experiences and companies are rethinking how they bring people together. We’re seeing the foundations of a completely new lifestyle category take shape.”

As Alive expands across more cities and categories, the company believes India’s experience economy is moving beyond early adoption and becoming an integral part of urban lifestyles, driven by consumers who increasingly value discovery, connection and memorable experiences over conventional leisure.

About Alive App

Alive App is India’s first tech startup dedicated to creating new and original, emotionally driven experiences across adventure, art, food, wellness, and culture. With over 450+ curated experiences across four cities, Alive App helps people rediscover the joy of living and connect more deeply with the world around them. Founded by Vivek, Alive App has achieved 90x growth in under a year and is at the forefront of shaping India’s fast-emerging experience economy.

Website: www.iamalive.app
Instagram: @iamalive.app

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HunterLab launches Vista® L2 with an extended 710 nm measurement range

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The next-generation Vista pairs Essentials L2, the most advanced color analysis software in the category, with far more onboard computing, all without changing existing methods or accessories

RESTON, Va., July 21, 2026 /CNW/ — HunterLab, the world’s true measure of color, today announced Vista® L2, the next generation of its transmission color and haze spectrophotometer for transparent and translucent liquids and solids. Vista L2 extends the spectral range to 710 nm, adds Essentials L2, the most advanced color analysis software in the industry, and expands processing power and storage. The result is more capability for quality control teams in beverages, edible oils, liquid chemicals, pharmaceuticals, translucent plastic preforms, and environmental testing.

The wider range sharpens the separation of true color, measured as absorbance, from haze, measured as light scattering. That clarity helps manufacturers catch early-stage instability in liquid products and judge color stability with more confidence. The 710 nm reach also enables chlorophyll measurement at 630, 670, and 710 nm, aligned to AOCS Cc 13d-55, a method used to track oxidation and protect shelf life in edible oils.

“Quality teams are being asked to measure more, on tighter timelines, without adding instruments or headcount,” said Bob Weaver, President at HunterLab. “Vista L2 was built for that reality. It widens what a single instrument can measure while running the same methods and accessories our customers already use, so the upgrade adds capability without disruption.”

Vista L2 builds on the established Vista platform, retaining its transmission geometry, full-spectrum LED illumination, and touchscreen interface. New and enhanced features include 32 GB of onboard storage, enough for millions of measurements, HDMI output for viewing results on external displays, and a built-in wavelength verification standard that keeps performance consistent. Essentials L2 updates by flash drive or direct internet connection.

Vista L2 is the only transmission instrument to apply the Beer-Lambert Law with the precision needed to report absolute color from standard cells and vials. It reports edible oils automatically at 5.25 inch or 1 inch pathlengths and reads APHA color in smaller cells than competing systems require, reducing reliance on costly specialty cells. Interchangeable holders and base plates, in Multi-Functional, Precision, and Self-Centering options, position liquids, vials, cuvettes, translucent plastic preforms, films, and flow-through samples with magnetic attachments and locating pins for repeatable results.

Vista L2 is available now. Additional information and demonstration requests are available at https://www.hunterlab.com/en/contact/.

About HunterLab

Founded in 1952, HunterLab is a global leader in color and appearance measurement solutions for industries including food and beverage, plastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. With instruments trusted in more than 75 countries, HunterLab continues to advance the science of color through innovation, precision, and customer partnership.

Media Contact:
HunterLab Marketing
marketing@hunterlab.com
www.hunterlab.com

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SOURCE HunterLab

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TMGM joins Chelsea FC on their 2026 Asia-Pacific Pre-Season Tour

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SYDNEY, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TMGM today announced its participation in Chelsea FC’s 2026 Asia-Pacific Pre-Season Tour as an Official Partner, building on the companies’ long-standing regional partnership.

Chelsea’s pre-season tour will see the club face Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney, before travelling to Hong Kong to take on Juventus, followed by matches against AC Milan in Jakarta and Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia. The tour marks Chelsea’s return to Asia-Pacific ahead of the 2026/27 Premier League season, giving supporters across the region the opportunity to watch the club’s first-team squad in action before the new campaign begins.

Since partnering with Chelsea FC in 2023 as its Official Online Forex and CFD Trading Partner in Asia-Pacific, TMGM has collaborated with the club on a series of regional initiatives, including The Famous CFC fan event in Bangkok. TMGM branding also featured on the back of the players shirt for the 2025/26 FA Cup campaign.

Throughout the tour, TMGM will be featured across match venues and digital channels while supporting regional campaigns and exclusive experiences, giving selected clients and supporters opportunities to enjoy behind-the-scenes access, including open training sessions and player appearances.

“Chelsea FC has been an important partner for TMGM over the past three years, and the club’s return to Asia-Pacific presents another opportunity to connect with clients and football fans through one of the sport’s key moments as the team prepare for a new campaign. We’re looking forward to bringing the partnership to life through experiences that celebrate the excitement of the tour and the passion football inspires across the region.” said TMGM.

About TMGM

Founded in 2013 in Sydney, Australia, TMGM Group is the Official Regional Partner of Chelsea Football Club. As a broker providing global financial product trading, TMGM is regulated by ASIC (Australia), VFSC (Vanuatu), FSC Mauritius, and FSA (Seychelles).

Disclaimer: Investing in leveraged products carries high risks and is not suitable for all investors. You have no interest in the underlying asset. Read the Client Agreement and other disclosure documents set forth on our website. The above information is provided by TMGM Group (Trademax Australia Limited, ABN 76 162 331 311, AFSL 436416, Trademax Global Markets (SE) Limited, FSA licence number SD224, Trademax Global Limited, VFSC 40356 & Trademax Global Markets (International) Pty Ltd, Company No. 195323, Mauritius Investment Dealer Licence No. GB22201012). 

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SOURCE TMGM

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