Welcome to Curated Morning. A compendium of news, information, and stories that economic development professionals, community development leaders and elected officials read every week to stay in touch with what is happening in our economy.

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The Main Thing:

What does it take to build a local economy? With an emphasis on 'build," this week's blog post provides you with ten ideas on how to develop and nurture your local business environment so that you can end up with long-term success.

I have long been a proponent of making sure that local businesses are being taken care of. From intensive and ubiquitous business retention and expansion efforts to creating fertile ground for small businesses to thrive, these home-grown economic development efforts are better investments than spending thousands of dollars on charming site consultants.

I give the examples of how a local manufacturer here in my home community has created thousands of jobs over the years and has impacted me personally. I end with ten ideas that many of you may already employ.

These ten ideas may not be cutting edge, but starting small and making sure that these ideas and initiatives are of the highest quality and adjusted until they are on point. Growth occurs in the best and most fertile conditions. So, to grow the best, you must constantly make sure your environment is conducive to growth.

​Read my post and let me know if you employ any of these ideas and how they are working for you.

Focus On the Green Economy

From Farm to Fortune: How Nestlé's $90B Net Zero Push Creates New Economic Opportunities

The world's largest food manufacturer just proved that ambitious climate goals can be a profitable business strategy. Nestlé hit its 20% emissions reduction target a year ahead of schedule while generating over $90 billion in annual revenue. Demonstrating how sustainability initiatives are reshaping supply chains and creating new market opportunities, the company's approach focuses on transforming agricultural practices across its vast supplier network, working with farmers to reduce methane emissions, prevent deforestation, and implement regenerative farming techniques that simultaneously cut costs and carbon.

Why This Matters: Economic developers in agricultural regions are sitting on untapped goldmines as major corporations scramble to decarbonize their supply chains. Nestlé's success story reveals how food and beverage companies are increasingly willing to invest in supplier training, sustainable farming infrastructure, and agricultural technology to meet their climate commitments. This creates unprecedented opportunities for rural communities to attract corporate partnerships, processing facilities, and agricultural innovation centers.

Take Action: Inventory your region's agricultural assets and identify farmers already implementing sustainable practices who could serve as showcase partners for major food companies. Develop relationships with agricultural extension programs and universities to create training programs that align with corporate sustainability requirements. Reach out directly to sustainability officers at major food companies to position your region as a preferred supplier hub for their net-zero initiatives, emphasizing your community's commitment to both agricultural excellence and environmental stewardship.

Read Nestlé is on track to halve emissions by 2030. Here’s how (holes and all) by Jim Giles | Trellis.

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Million-Dollar Meltdown: How Grant Terminations Are Forcing Communities to Rethink Environmental Investment Strategy

A legal battle brewing in federal court could determine whether 350 communities nationwide will recover millions in terminated environmental grants—or be forced to find new funding sources for tree planting, air quality monitoring, and climate resilience projects. Six major jurisdictions, including Allegheny County, San Francisco, and King County, are leading a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration's blanket cancellation of EPA's Environmental and Climate Justice Grant programs, which provided $3 billion in congressionally appropriated funding under the Inflation Reduction Act. The sudden termination has left communities scrambling to maintain critical environmental health initiatives, from urban forestry programs in Sacramento to indoor air quality monitoring in climate-vulnerable neighborhoods.

Why This Matters: The abrupt halt of federal environmental grants serves as a stark reminder that economic developers can no longer rely solely on federal funding streams for community improvement projects. This disruption affects more than just environmental initiatives—many of these programs directly support economic development goals by improving quality of life, reducing health costs, and making communities more attractive to businesses and residents. The legal uncertainty also creates opportunities for communities that can quickly pivot to alternative funding sources and demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship regardless of federal policy shifts.

Take Action: Audit your community's federal grant dependencies and develop contingency plans for potential funding disruptions. Create partnerships with local businesses and healthcare systems that benefit from environmental health improvements to develop private-sector funding alternatives. Most importantly, reframe environmental projects as economic development investments when pitching to local stakeholders—emphasize job creation, property value increases, and business attraction benefits rather than just environmental outcomes.

Read Cities sue Trump administration over termination of climate justice grants by Robyn Griggs Lawrence | Smart Cities Dive.

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​The Silent Revolution: Why 'Greenhushing' Companies Are Your Best Economic Development Prospects

Corporate sustainability isn't dead—it's just gotten quieter and more thoughtful. While headlines trumpet the demise of business climate commitments, the reality is far more nuanced and promising for economic developers. Companies are increasingly practicing "greenhushing," staying silent about their sustainability efforts to avoid political backlash while doubling down on the actual work of decarbonizing supply chains, improving operational efficiency, and building climate resilience. According to PwC's latest data, 37% of companies are strengthening their climate commitments compared to just 16% reducing them, and the number of firms setting climate targets is nine times higher than five years ago. The real action is happening behind the scenes, integrated into core business strategy rather than splashed across marketing campaigns.

Why This Matters: This shift from sustainability theater to genuine operational transformation creates massive opportunities for economic developers. Companies are no longer looking for communities that simply applaud their green initiatives—they need partners who can deliver the infrastructure, workforce, and regulatory environment that supports genuine decarbonization efforts. The most promising prospects aren't the companies making the loudest environmental pledges, but those quietly investing in supply chain resilience, renewable energy integration, and circular manufacturing processes.

Take Action: Stop chasing companies based on their public sustainability announcements and start identifying businesses making quiet operational investments in environmental improvements. Develop relationships with site selection consultants who specialize in companies seeking locations for clean manufacturing, distribution, or research facilities. Build workforce training programs around the technical skills needed for green manufacturing and supply chain optimization rather than just promoting your community's environmental credentials.

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Read No, corporate sustainability is not dying by Joel Makower | Trellis

Other Articles of Interest this week:

Leadership -- New Job, Different Industry. How to Succeed When You Make the Leap by Rob Apatoff | KelloggInsight -- When you don’t just switch companies but entire sectors, you need to do your homework, focus on the culture, and build credibility fast.

Technology -- The AI data center race is getting way more complicated by Jackie Snow | Quartz -- Adjustments by Amazon and Microsoft reflect harsh realities: power grids that take years to expand, land speculators inflating prices, and overwhelmed utilities

AI -- Idaho preps to roll out artificial intelligence in state government by Kyle Pfannenstiel, Idaho Capital Sun | RouteFifty -- Idaho’s Office of Information Technology is preparing to share guidance on using AI with state agencies.

Economic Development -- How an incubator helped an electric RV startup set up camp in Detroit by Jordyn Grzelewski | TechBrew -- Grounded recently launched the G3, its third-gen electric RV.

Something You Should Read:

If you ask anyone who pays attention to anything (that would be you, economic development professionals, and other curious readers), they would say there is a lot of polarization in our society and culture today. While some are content to retreat to their thought bubble, others are trying to change things.

The Builders Movement is a nonpartisan organization focused on reducing societal polarization.

It achieves this by encouraging flexible, constructive thinking and cross-partisan collaboration, prioritizing "solutions over sides." Its main goals include bridging divides beyond "us vs. them" dynamics, fostering constructive conflict, and building a nationwide network of "Builders" dedicated to peacemaking.

The movement provides resources through toolkits, media, and training for civil discourse and aims to influence public discourse by recognizing constructive leadership.

The Builders Movement can significantly impact local communities and economic development. It can strengthen civic infrastructure and promote resilient public decision-making. Fostering inclusive environments enhances economic resilience, supporting investment, innovation, and workforce growth.

The movement transforms local disputes into collaborative efforts, simplifying the implementation of complex solutions. It also increases social capital, building trust and partnerships crucial for funding and economic development.

Ultimately, the Builders Movement attracts entrepreneurial talent and external investors by promoting inclusive, solution-oriented environments, thereby boosting competitiveness.

In essence, the Builders Movement directly supports local and regional growth by promoting behaviors, attitudes, and processes vital for effective, sustainable economic development, particularly in times of division or change.

​Check them out here. ​

Overheard:

"For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

Steve Jobs

The Rabbit Hole:

Climb Every Mountain

There is a community of people whose goal is to climb the highest point in every state, called the Highpointers Club. You can go to their website and others to see the highest point in each of the fifty states, and then climb them.

Here in Illinois, the highest point is called Charles Mound, not Charles Mountain, but 'mound.' It rises a whopping 1,235 feet over the prairie, and the interesting thing is that to 'summit' the mound, one must start just over the border in Wisconsin. It's on private land, and the owners are kind enough to open their gate to enthusiasts the first weekend of every summer month.

Charles Mound is about an hour west of where I live, and I may pack my climbing gear, ropes, and carabiners and see what I can do this September. I will report back to you.

The highest point in each state begs the question, what's the lowest point in each state? Or what are the flattest states? This article gives us the answer, and Illinois isn't the flattest! There are at least six states that have a flatter profile than Illinois.

Any guesses on the flattest state? It only has a difference of about 345 feet from its lowest point to its highest point. The answer is at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Need a Robot?

I was shopping at the robot dealership the other day, and boy oh boy, prices have dropped significantly!

Lots of folks were at the local dealership wanting to cash in on the pre-tariff pricing they were offering. It was the "Summer to Remember Sale," and it brought back many memories.

Remember when the first robots came onto the market? I mean, honestly, who needed a clunky robot that could hardly open the front door or make dinner? Or how about that gadget that scooted along the floor pretending to vacuum? The dog hated it, and the cat just sat on it, thinking it was some amusement ride.

Today's robots are much more reasonably priced, and if you commit to purchase before Labor Day, you can get low financing or leasing terms (for qualifying customers, of course) as low as 5% APR! Stop on down to your local robot dealership today.

And here is a video of the Unitree R1, priced at a reasonable $5,900 (programming extra).
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Improve Your Swing

My drive isn't what it used to be. Ok, to be honest, it wasn't ever very much. I couldn't get rid of that nasty slice, and sometimes I couldn't even reach the ladies' tees. Golf is a sport that can be frustrating, yet it allows you to play against yourself and improve every time you hit the links.

Usually, I would go out and play horribly, and then the last swing of the club or the previous putt would be what we called the "comebacker." As you reached the eighteenth hole, you vowed never to play again, because you played so horribly.

Then you would hit a fantastic drive, reach the green in two strokes, and sink a 30-foot putt; the combacker hole. Now you're coming back again. Forget that earlier vow.

If you want to avoid all this frustration, then try Park Golf. This video explains it all. It's the pickleball of golf!
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​Answer: Florida is the flattest state--the highest point in Florida is Britton Hill at 345 feet above sea level.

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Let's work together!

With over three decades of experience in economic development, public administration, and small business, I can now bring my expertise to benefit you. What are the issues facing your community? What obstacles are you facing in growing your business? Let's work on this together.

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If you have any thoughts or comments regarding any articles in this newsletter please feel free to contact me through email at martin@martinkarlconsulting.com.​

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