GULF SHORES, Ala. — With all the news of the plummeting stock market, mass layoffs and failing companies, it’s hard to believe that some businesses continue to press on.

But hidden amidst the going-out-of-business sales are a few unique enterprises that are not only persevering, but expanding.

This week, Saunders Yachtworks cut the ribbon on a brand new 15,000 square foot office and maintenance shop.

Based in Orange Beach since 1993, the 50-year-old company expanded to a second location along the Intracoastal Waterway in Gulf Shores.

The regional business is a full service yacht yard that can repair every aspect of a watercraft. They hope to employ more than 50 people over the next several years.

In 2008 Saunders Yachtworks saw an 8 percent increase in business from 2007, had a higher volume of boats and no layoffs.

Last month, Columbia Southern University moved into its 64,000 square foot facility, leaving behind a few makeshift locations they were operating from.

The online university services students internationally and is based in Orange Beach. After years of growth from building to building, the school was able to settle in to a three-story building and is now able to educate its 15,000 students comfortably. The university has also been actively recruiting new employees. Advertised jobs can be viewed online at colsouth.edu.

Last year, in October, The Wharf broke ground on a 27,000 square foot convention center that can accommodate up to 2,000 people.

The center will open this spring and will include audio and visual technology and a catering kitchen. So what’s their secret?

“We’re looking out further than the immediate eco-spasm,” Saunders Yachtworks chairman Andrew Saunders said of their success. “Our plans relate to the yacht yard of the future, the yacht user of the future. We’re building for the future industry.”

Being self-contained and good management are also leading factors in success.

“We don’t have many subcontractors, we use all the trades and skills we have in our own employment,” Saunders said.

Saunders believes the company is able to flourish because it is in the repair business, not sales.

“The fact that people aren’t buying doesn’t really affect us as much. We’re dealing with the customers that already have the boats,” he said.

While the yacht repair company has felt some slowdown in demand, Saunders said he continues to see customers constantly.

Amy McMullen, vice president of operations for AIG Baker, said constructing the convention center at The Wharf was crucial.

“The conference center completes the circle,” she said.

The center will complete the packaged attraction The Wharf aims for. The business brought in by the conference center will help to nourish vendors at The Wharf. McMullen said each booked weekend for the conference center means more customers for their restaurants and shops.