Small businesses

Build Baton Rouge has launched a storefront grant program to revitalize the Plank Road corridor in North Baton Rouge, aiming to support small businesses along the historic commercial corridor.

An international intelligence coalition, Five Eyes, warns that AI is enabling more sophisticated cyberattacks targeting small businesses and local governments. Cybersecurity experts highlight the vulnerability of these entities due to limited resources and recommend immediate defensive measures against AI-driven threats.

Small businesses are increasingly adopting AI to improve efficiency and survival, but face higher costs and risks of losing their unique personal value. A median of $21 per employee is spent on AI tools, double the cost for larger businesses. While AI helps streamline operations, concerns about rising prices and over-reliance on technology are growing.

Ernest Caravalho, a candidate for State House District 28, emphasizes economic diversification through support for local agriculture, small businesses, and investments in skilled trades, STEM, and renewable energy.

A nonprofit organization has launched a pilot grant program to support new and existing small businesses in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. The initiative aims to provide financial assistance to local storefronts.

St. Paul's minimum wage increased to $16.37 for small businesses and $14.25 for microbusinesses on July 1. The change applies specifically to small and micro businesses.

Russia’s small businesses are struggling due to war spending, inflation, and higher taxes linked to the Ukraine war. Shop closures and 'for rent' signs in a Moscow suburb reflect reduced customer numbers and rising costs forcing businesses to scale back or shut down.

The Collective Boutique will open in Franklin, Tennessee this weekend, providing a new marketplace for hundreds of small businesses. This follows the sudden closure of Painted Tree Boutiques in April, offering entrepreneurs a fresh start to reconnect with customers and pursue their ventures.

Sen. Chris Murphy is introducing legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour through a phased approach, starting at $12 and gradually increasing over several years. The proposal eliminates lower wage standards for tipped workers, young employees, and workers with disabilities, while larger employers would face faster compliance timelines than smaller businesses. Supporters argue the increase is necessary to address rising living costs, while critics warn of potential business impacts.

The State Duma passed a bill delaying VAT tax hikes for small businesses under Russia’s simplified tax system. Small businesses will only pay the national value-added tax if their revenue exceeds $260,000.

Pauline Hanson claims small businesses will 'fold' under the cost of paid parental leave, despite no law requiring employers to pay. Labor criticized her for not understanding the policy, noting most businesses voluntarily provide it and employees are entitled to 12 months of unpaid leave.

The article promotes shopping at Israel’s small businesses with a 15% discount using the code TIMES15 in June. It emphasizes supporting these businesses through purchases rather than charity, offering free global shipping. The content is sponsored by The Times of Israel.

South Africa’s government is enforcing an immigration crackdown in Johannesburg’s inner city, revealing the reliance of small businesses on undocumented migrant labor.

The article promotes shopping at Israeli small businesses with a 15% discount in June using the code TIMES15. It emphasizes supporting businesses through purchases rather than charity, offering free global shipping.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced 'generous' capital gains tax exemptions for Australia's 2.7 million small businesses, startups, and testamentary trusts after facing criticism over Labor’s tax reforms. The changes aim to address backlash against shifting from a flat 50% CGT discount model to an inflation-linked approach, which industry groups labeled a 'tax on growth'.

South Africa's Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration has developed an implementation plan to strengthen migration management. The plan focuses on improving border infrastructure, expanding access to social services, registering small businesses and informal traders, and reviewing asylum and refugee procedures.

A fast-moving fire tore through a strip mall on East Suffolk Avenue, destroying several small businesses and leaving residents and workers reeling from the loss.

Senate Democrats Ron Wyden and Edward Markey accused the Trump administration of delaying refunds for over $145 billion in tariffs ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has only refunded about $20.6 billion, leaving tens of billions unreturned, impacting small businesses that paid tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Nigel Farage has pledged a £2 billion tax cut aimed at helping white van men and small businesses avoid the VAT cliff edge. The proposal focuses on reducing tax burdens for these groups.

Small businesses are criticizing a proposed plan that would mandate filing accounts with Companies House. The plan has been met with backlash from small business owners.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's city-run grocery store plan has not been studied for its potential impact on local small businesses, according to his budget chief's admission. The plan involves a $70 million investment.

County executive candidates for Montgomery County participated in a forum discussing issues like small business support, data centers, and public safety. Candidates from both Democratic and Republican parties outlined their plans, including reducing regulatory barriers, addressing mental health, and proposing environmental initiatives.

The article argues that Michigan’s PreK for All program supports the state’s small businesses by providing early childhood education. Carrie Rosingana, CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!, is highlighted as a contributor to this discussion.

Brookfield Shops at Progress Park in Brookfield, Ill., is a retail incubator designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs test products in a brick-and-mortar setting before committing to a permanent storefront. The initiative invites visitors to explore the shops.

Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor, proposed a 20% cut in business rates for pubs and some small businesses, criticizing Keir Starmer's policy. The initiative aims to remove many smaller enterprises from paying the levy entirely, highlighting a disagreement with Labour's approach.

A new report finds that every dollar invested in parks and recreation generates $3 in local economic benefits annually. Parks promote physical and mental health, reduce healthcare costs, and support small businesses by attracting crowds to surrounding areas. The Trust for Public Land highlights their role as 'third places' fostering social connections and community well-being.

ComEd is offering grants of up to $500 for small businesses struggling to pay electric bills, part of a $2.5 million program addressing price spikes caused by AI data center energy demand. The initiative includes a matching requirement where businesses must cover part of their owed amount, and follows a similar program for residential customers.

The article discusses how AI can assist small businesses with administrative tasks like accounting, design, and market research. It highlights AI's ability to handle basic work such as organizing notes, summarizing meetings, invoicing, and social media planning, offering solutions where hiring experts isn't feasible.

The article discusses how small businesses can use AI to handle administrative tasks and improve efficiency, highlighting a tutor who uses Notion AI to manage his tutoring business. MIT Technology Review's newsletter explores applying large language models across industries.

Small businesses are appealing to Congress for tax relief, regulatory reforms, and healthcare savings to enhance their competitiveness against larger corporations. These measures are intended to help small businesses create jobs and strengthen Main Street's economic growth.

Mel and Mike Ohlinger, owners of OhmCo, a family-owned digital marketing and signage business for car washes, highlight rising gas and healthcare costs as major challenges for small businesses. They argue that small businesses lack the resources of large corporations to absorb these costs and call for political leaders to prioritize Main Street over corporate interests.

Small businesses are expressing frustration at being referred to as the 'backbone of the economy' by the Government. They feel the phrase is overused and does not reflect their actual struggles. The Government's use of this term has sparked controversy among small business owners.

The business secretary states that small businesses are being severely impacted by late payments, which is strangling them to death. This issue highlights the financial struggles of small businesses. The statement emphasizes the need for timely payments.

Small businesses are starting to receive refunds for their IEEPA tariffs, with one owner eagerly checking their bank account for the refund. The refunds are a result of recent developments in tariff policies. This marks a significant step for affected businesses.

House Republicans are committed to supporting small businesses through tax cuts and cracking down on retail theft. This support aims to improve cash flow, job growth, and economic opportunity. The goal is to restore accountability to small business programs.

House Republicans are urged to pass a budget package that indexes capital gains to inflation, aiming to benefit small businesses and ordinary Americans by preserving assets and stimulating economic growth.

Cornwall's proposed tourist tax is criticized for harming small businesses already struggling due to Labour's rate hikes. The tax could lead to hotel and restaurant closures, worsening the situation for holidaymakers.

The article discusses a trade court battle over President Trump's 10% global tariffs, with judges interpreting a 1974 trade law. Small businesses and blue states challenged the tariffs, which Trump imposed after the Supreme Court's ruling.

President Trump's new 10-percent global tariffs face a legal challenge at the U.S. Court of International Trade. The court will review the tariffs after the Supreme Court previously invalidated Trump's earlier tariffs for using emergency powers. Democratic-led states and small businesses oppose the measures.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, unveiled the American Dream Initiative, a multi-year program aiming to invest $80 billion in small businesses, affordable housing, and job training. The initiative seeks to boost economic opportunities and equal access to resources across the U.S.