West Palm Beach – October 15, 2026 -- Fifty-seven percent of U.S. small business owners say they are very or completely reliant on their business to reach their next stage of life, yet only 15% hold a formal, written exit plan, according to a Researchscape International survey commissioned by Exit Factor.

Sixty-four percent of respondents report that at least half of their personal net worth is tied up in the business. The survey covered 1,104 owners and was fielded between August 24 and September 11, 2026. Respondents were sole owners/founders or co-owners with significant decision-making authority at companies with 1-99 employees. Responses were not weighted.

Confidence in exit readiness outstrips concrete preparation among owners

Fifty-two percent say they are very or completely confident they could exit successfully if they started the process tomorrow. One-third (33%) have taken no steps toward exit planning.

WASHINGTON – October 15, 2026 -- U.S. seafood consumers now treat sustainability as a default expectation rather than a niche preference, according to 10 years of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) research covering 15,000 respondents since 2016.

The report, "A Decade of Change: Sustainability Now a Mainstream Concern of U.S. Seafood Consumers," was conducted for the MSC by the independent insights firm GlobeScan. It finds that U.S. consumer support for sustainability has climbed to match levels traditionally seen only among European consumers.

Consumers demand independent proof of sustainability claims

Shoppers increasingly want environmental claims independently verified, and claims alone no longer suffice. The MSC says this reinforces the value of credible third-party certification. Consumers also view sustainability as built into seafood products rather than added on, and economic realities continue to shape purchasing decisions.

Los Angeles – October 15, 2026 -- Model/Z, a Los Angeles volumetric modular manufacturer, has closed a $32 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) transaction to finance production of modular units for affordable and workforce housing developments.

Financing targets the gap on modules still inside the factory

Traditional construction financing was built around structures erected directly on real estate. Many lenders are therefore reluctant or unable to advance funds for modules that are still in a factory. That forces developers or manufacturers to carry millions of dollars in production costs themselves, which delays projects and erodes the efficiencies of modular construction.

The NMTC deal gives Model/Z a working capital line to start manufacturing modules ahead of a project's on-site construction schedule. Factory output can then run in parallel with foundation and utility work, and the company can keep production steadier.

Great Falls, Va. – October 15, 2026 -- NTPC Limited, India's largest electric utility, has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Virginia-based 247Solar for the company's first commercial solar thermal project, a ~1MW hybrid plant at Rajasthan's Bhadla Solar Park.

NTPC Tests Round-the-Clock Solar Thermal as Coal Alternative

India's utilities have recently built coal capacity alongside solar and wind to cover the gap left by photovoltaic panels after sunset and in bad weather. NTPC will test whether 247Solar's system can close that gap and reduce its reliance on coal. Backers expect the utility to consider wider deployment across India if the project succeeds.

247Solar founder and CEO Bruce Anderson said the technology addresses intermittent solar and wind power and avoids spending more on costly coal plants. He added that NTPC conducted several years of due diligence before moving forward.

Pendleton, Oregon – October 15, 2026 -- Wildhorse Resort & Casino will raise its annual live concert count by more than 410%, from roughly 3.5 to 18 or more, after selecting Seattle Entertainment Group (SEG) to lead entertainment strategy and talent buying for its expansion, which is scheduled to open in spring 2027.

SEG is a 100% Native-owned entertainment, production and talent-buying company. It will also handle operational planning for the new event center. Wildhorse is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

Concert capacity rises 325% to more than 1,700 guests

The new venue lifts capacity from about 400 to more than 1,700 guests. The expansion represents more than $100 million in investment and includes a 40,000-square-foot event center. The center adds 13 rentable breakout meeting rooms, a 110% increase, plus additional VIP spaces.

Seattle – October 15, 2026 -- Nordstrom, Inc. will open a 51,500-square-foot Nordstrom Rack store at 2 Stockton Street in San Francisco in fall 2027, re-entering the downtown market through its off-price division.

Invesco Real Estate-owned building in Union Square will house the new store

The site is at 2 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, in the Union Square neighborhood. Invesco Real Estate owns and manages the building.

Mayor Lurie cites downtown recovery as retailers return

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said companies were leaving the city three years ago and now want to be there. He credited efforts to make streets safer and cleaner, bring people back downtown and cut red tape. Co-CEO Erik Nordstrom said the city has built momentum in making downtown a good place for customers.

New York – October 15, 2026 -- Nicely Network reports more than 15,000 AI citations and more than $150 million in tracked sales revenue, figures from its Q4 2026 media kit that accompany a "Best AI SEO Agency for Brand Mentions in ChatGPT" recognition from Better Business Advice.

The agency says it has served more than 300 brands, including Fortune 500 companies, and generated more than 160 million views across ranked discussions. The figures are self-reported.

Reddit and editorial placements form the core service model

Nicely Network combines Reddit marketing with high-authority editorial placements. Reddit campaigns start with high-intent search queries, with post titles that mirror buyer questions and supporting comments that introduce recommendations. The agency monitors engagement and search performance on an ongoing basis.

Tacoma – October 15, 2026 -- Columbia Banking System, Inc. (Nasdaq: COLB) ranked No. 1 among banks with at least $50 billion in assets in Bank Director's 2026 RankingBanking study, moving up from No. 2 in each of the previous two years.

Columbia ranks first for asset quality and top three for profitability among large banks

In the latest study, Columbia placed No. 1 among large banks for asset quality. It also finished among the top three for profitability, measured by return on average assets (ROAA).

The study evaluates the 300 largest publicly traded U.S. banks on four measures: return on average tangible common equity, return on average total assets, tangible common equity to tangible assets, and nonperforming assets to loans and other real estate owned.

Queens – October 15, 2026 -- Metropolitan Park, the $8.1 billion sports and entertainment district led by Hard Rock International and Steve Cohen, has committed $10 million to the new Jackson Heights community center of the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, seeding a $33.8 million public-private funding package.

Developers count the $10 million toward a $1 billion community benefits package

The investment is part of Metropolitan Park's more than $1 billion in community benefits. It served as the seed funding for the facility's total capital stack, which combines private and public money from state, city and federal sources.

Bellwood – October 15, 2026 -- Nearly 300 school bus drivers and monitors at Sunrise Transportation, now a subsidiary of Student Transportation of America, have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 777 in Illinois.

Local 777 moves to negotiate a first collective bargaining agreement

Local 777 will work with the newly organized group to negotiate its first contract. The workers organized to secure fair pay, improved working conditions and better benefits.

Union cites wages, benefits and workplace protections as priorities

Local 777 President Jim Glimco said the workers transport students to and from school every day and deserve wages, benefits and workplace protections that reflect that responsibility.