DeKalb, IL -- (SBWIRE) --06/24/2011 -- American Marketing & Publishing LLC reported today that the Muscatine, Iowa economy shows signs of recovery as evidenced by substantial growth in local advertising by businesses serving Muscatine. The 2011 edition of the Muscatine HomePages® Directory features 218 local businesses advertisements, a significant increase over the prior edition.

The US Postal Service is distributing 15,100 copies of the 2011 Muscatine HomePages® Directory to every Muscatine family, business, and post office box holder. The Muscatine HomePages® are a printed community directory including residential and business white pages, a community information section, and a categorized local business Yellow Pages. Local information is also published online at http://CloseBy.com, an Internet Yellow Pages that submits business information to Google. The 18% growth in local business advertising shows evidence of renewed enthusiasm toward the local economy.

“It’s very encouraging to see this level of economic optimism in Muscatine. Family owned businesses are the backbone of the country, and they do not spend money on advertising unless they are leaning forward.” said Abe Andrzejewski, CEO of American Marketing & Publishing, LLC.

Mark LeRette, Second Ward Representative of Muscatine, has watched the growth this year. “Things are looking much better than they were last year. We’ve had a ton of growth, primarily among small businesses. Local business owners are regaining access to credit which has helped several new businesses come into town including Slumberland, The Game Stop and A&E Convenience on the south side of town. Also the TIF district around Menards is attracting several new businesses as well.”

Neal Polachek, President of BIA/Kelsey, a local media consulting and advisory service says, “Local and community Yellow Pages such as HomePages Directories have long been barometers of the local economy. Many small businesses are often among the more sophisticated advertisers and as such, they generally have their thumb on the pulse of the economy and they tend to know what advertising works. It is very encouraging to see this type of growth in Muscatine in an otherwise subdued advertising market.”

American Marketing & Publishing LLC
publishes HomePages® Yellow Pages Directories in print and online at CloseBy.com in 415 small and medium sized communities in Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Founded in 1997, HomePages Directories help families support their communities with complete listings and profiles of local businesses, community information, and residential phone numbers.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Abe Andrzejewski, please contact Tiffany Mills at (815) 756-2840 x4420 or email her at Tiffany.Mills@HomePagesDirectories.com