In the small towns near Stanton, Tenn. residents view the future manufacturing colossus with hope and trepidation. But the project has rattled Michigan officials who fear that Ford’s center of gravity is shifting south.

Investors in the sector have been more reluctant to close deals as the cost of capital rises. But given a strong outlook for income growth, many acquisitions are still going through.

The San Francisco-based company expects more people to become hosts to bring in a second source of income as the economy slows. To help them feel safer with the prospect of renting their homes to strangers, Airbnb is expanding its identity...