AGP Executive Report

Trade Deadline Watch: Canadian negotiators stayed in Washington over the weekend as talks continue ahead of Wednesday’s steep new U.S. tariffs, with both sides looking for “off-ramps” before 50% duties hit about $20B in Canadian goods. Small-Business Lending & Growth: Cardiff boosted its affiliate referral payout from $50 to $200 per qualified lead, aiming to widen access to working capital while increasing partner earnings. Payments & Delivery Innovation: Uber and Zipline announced a partnership to scale drone delivery via Uber Eats, with deployments starting later this year and a goal of one million drone deliveries per day by end of 2029. Fraud & Accountability: Lawrence Mayor Brian Depena faces federal wire-fraud and money-laundering charges tied to more than $1.5M in COVID EIDL funds, including alleged campaign and personal tax payments. Cybersecurity for SMBs: A new guide warns e-commerce owners to harden defenses against phishing, malware/ransomware, and DDoS, starting with SSL and stronger account protections. AI Risk for Founders: A report highlights how deepfakes are increasingly used to target women entrepreneurs with reputation attacks and extortion. Local Business Climate: Georgia’s data-center boom is under scrutiny as regulators try to balance power needs with protecting consumers and keeping rates stable. Small-Business Events: Small Business Expo earned a sixth Inc. 5000 spot, citing sustained growth across hundreds of expos and workshops.

SBA & Supply Chains: The SBA launched its inaugural Critical Suppliers Prize Competition, offering up to $20M in non-dilutive funding to small businesses tackling advanced metals, advanced materials, and energy systems to shore up U.S. supply chains. Disaster Relief: SBA opened rural disaster assistance for Saipan and Tinian after Super Typhoon Bavi, with deadlines of Oct. 13, 2026 (physical damage) and May 14, 2027 (economic injury). Local Business Growth: Fort Worth’s Marine Central development landed first retail tenants—Wild Knox Hat Bar, Cultura Markets, and Sol Dias Ice Cream & Paleteria—aimed at boosting foot traffic on North Main. Healthcare Workforce Policy: Sen. Amy Klobuchar highlighted plans to expand healthcare training and apprenticeships, including a Minnesota Healthcare Future network to recruit and train providers, especially in rural areas. Fraud & Compliance: A former Sweetwater commissioner was sentenced to 18 months for nearly $948K in PPP fraud using falsified payroll and tax documents. Payments & Travel: PayPal says U.S. users can use the PayPal app for in-store payments at Weixin Pay merchants in China, reducing friction for travelers. Crypto Banking Fight: Wall Street banks and crypto firms are clashing over the CLARITY Act, with banks warning stablecoin-yield rewards could drain deposits. Community Lending Lawsuit: A coalition sued to stop the Trump-Vance administration from defunding a bipartisan CDFI lending program that supports small-business loans in underserved areas.

Small-Business Lending Under Legal Threat: A coalition of economic development groups sued to block the Trump-Vance administration from letting a bipartisan CDFI lending program lose funding, warning hundreds of millions in Congressionally appropriated dollars could expire by late September. Payments Shake-Up: Stripe is reportedly in talks to buy PayPal, a potential reset for how merchants and small businesses get paid online as PayPal restructures and Stripe’s volume keeps rising. App Store External Links Fight: Apple asked a federal court to allow commissions up to 15% on purchases made via external iOS links, with a lower rate for its Small Business Program—continuing the Epic antitrust battle. Visa Mobile Checkout for SMEs: Visa and UMSI launched “U Accept,” letting small merchants take contactless card payments through eligible smartphones, aiming to cut POS terminal rental costs. Regulatory/Tax Pressure Watch: Lawmakers are pushing changes tied to affordability and business costs, while a separate push in Nebraska would streamline agency reporting requirements. Branding Lawsuit: Buc-ee’s is suing a local “Beaver” convenience store over a similar cartoon beaver logo, drawing national attention. Fraud Case With Local Impact: FBI charged Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePena over alleged misuse of $1.5M in COVID small-business loans.

Housing Equity: A Clark County, Washington housing deed still carries “white race only” restrictive covenant language in 1,367 properties, and while unenforceable today, the legacy continues to shape neighborhood access. Energy Costs: Pennsylvania lawmakers held a hearing on electric bill spikes, pointing to power-plant retirements and grid reliability risks as demand rises. Small-Business Payments: Visa and UMSI launched a smartphone-based contactless card acceptance option for small merchants, aiming to cut POS terminal costs. AI Adoption Gap: New federal data shows big firms are pulling ahead on AI use while smaller businesses under 20 employees lag. Fraud Crackdown: The FBI charged Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePena with allegedly misusing $1.5M in COVID small-business loans for his campaign, taxes, and personal debts. App Store Fight: Apple filed in court proposing up to 15% commissions on external iOS purchase links, with lower rates for small-business developers. Manufacturing Training: Apple opened an advanced manufacturing learning center in Houston to give SMEs hands-on equipment access and training. Agriculture & Veterans: U.S. Rep. Ben Cline highlighted a Veterans Entrepreneurship Act pilot to expand SBA-backed training for eligible veterans.

Fraud Crackdown on Small Businesses: Federal prosecutors charged Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePena with wire fraud and money laundering tied to more than $1.5M in COVID-era small-business loans, alleging he used funds for his campaign, personal taxes, and high-interest mortgage payoffs. AI Adoption Gap: New federal data shows AI use is rising for larger firms, but many businesses under 20 employees saw no meaningful change—raising competitiveness fears for Main Street. Payments Turning Into Lending: Platforms are increasingly using merchant payments relationships to offer working capital, with earnings pointing to more financing tied to sales activity. Local Relief for Storm Damage: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill creating a temporary rebate program for Chicago homeowners facing flood remediation costs after federal disaster help was denied. Trade/Tariff Pressure: Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley called Trump’s Canada tariff threats a “wake-up call,” warning negotiations can’t be used to undermine CUSMA—an issue that can hit small exporters fast. Small Business Growth Tools: SBA disaster loans remain available for tornado and drought-impacted areas, including low-interest options for businesses and nonprofits. Tech for Merchants: TikTok Shop is helping smaller brands compete via livestream commerce, while Amazon still dominates overall.

Fraud & Accountability: Massachusetts’ Lawrence mayor Brian DePena was arrested on federal charges tied to more than $1.5M in COVID-era small-business EIDL loans, with prosecutors alleging he diverted funds to his campaign, personal taxes, and other debts—an SBA program meant as working-capital support. Disaster Lending: The U.S. Small Business Administration is still taking applications for tornado and storm victims, including Lincoln County, Mississippi, with low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses/private nonprofits. Local Relief Funding: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill creating a temporary three-year flood-rebate path for certain Chicago homeowners after federal disaster help was denied. Payments Meets Lending: Payments platforms are pushing deeper into merchant credit by using sales data to fund working capital and expansion, with major firms reporting growth tied to these lending relationships. AI Adoption Gap: New federal data points to an AI divide—larger firms report higher usage while many of the smallest businesses show little change, raising competitiveness concerns. Immigration Costs for SMBs: DHS expanded a biometric fee requirement for certain H-1B and L-1 extension-of-status petitions starting Sept. 2026, increasing costs for employers, including smaller ones.

Small-Business Lending & Policy: China reported inclusive loans to small and micro firms rose 8% year over year in Q2, reaching 38.9 trillion yuan, with agriculture-linked lending up 7.5%. Fraud & Enforcement: Lawrence, Mass. Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested on wire fraud and money laundering charges tied to alleged misuse of more than $1.5M in COVID small-business loans. Workforce & Benefits: Employers are increasingly shifting to ICHRA/QSEHRA-style health reimbursements, keeping coverage but often leaving workers with fewer provider networks. Export Growth: Utah won $743,000 in SBA STEP funding via World Trade Center Utah to help small exporters with training, travel, and trade-show participation. Tech for SMBs: Xero launched Xero Payroll, powered by Gusto, aimed at bringing payroll, accounting, and payments together for U.S. small businesses. App Store Costs: Apple proposed commissions up to 15% for off-App Store purchases made via in-app links, with lower rates for some small-business developers. Local Business Risk: A new analysis warns gateway towns near U.S. national parks face major risks from shifting boundaries and extreme weather that can disrupt visitor-driven Main Street economies. Disaster Recovery: Guam’s governor requested a major disaster declaration for Super Typhoon Bavi, seeking more FEMA and SBA support for affected families and businesses.

COVID Relief Fraud: A New Jersey man, Malak Faltawws, was sentenced to two years for a $670,292 scheme using fake COVID-19 relief applications tied to EIDL and PPP. Small-Business Training: Louisiana’s LSBDC at LSU Alexandria will run two free Aug. 18 workshops on financial forecasting and planning for entrepreneurs. Corporate Transparency Backlash: Treasury permanently rescinded parts of beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act, raising fraud-enforcement concerns from critics. Tariffs & Legal Pressure: A U.S. trade court backed Trump’s move to end the “de minimis” tariff exemption for low-value imports, a potential hit to small shippers. Food Supply Risk: A Pennsylvania barbecue chef says he may drop popular jalapeño dishes after recalls tied to Taylor Farms, citing rising costs and lost contracts. Local Growth Support: El Paso’s Mission Trail small businesses can tap an SBA-funded marketing and technical assistance program. Export Boost: Utah won $743,000 in SBA STEP grants via World Trade Center Utah to help exporters with training, travel, and trade-show costs. Tech/Manufacturing Upskilling: Apple opened a Houston advanced manufacturing center and offered free sessions for local entrepreneurs. AI Skills for SMBs: Georgia Chamber Foundation and partners brought free AI training to small businesses in Macon. Disaster Loans Reminder: California’s Pack Fire victims have until Sept. 9 to apply for SBA low-interest disaster loans.

Beneficial Ownership Reporting Repeal: The U.S. Treasury finalized an end to Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting for U.S. companies, a move NFIB Alabama says protects 32+ million small businesses and spares owners major compliance costs while FinCEN commits to quickly destroying submitted personal data. Local Contract Wins: Cosmic Reliable Services, a woman-owned supplier, landed a three-year Los Angeles County Public Works master agreement—showing how SBA certification and better federal profiles can unlock government purchasing. AI for SMBs: Georgia Chamber Foundation and the U.S. Chamber Foundation brought free “Small Business B(AI)sics” training to Macon, aiming to help owners use practical AI to save time and grow. Manufacturing Support: SBA resources and programs are spotlighted for small manufacturers, including SBA-backed growth stories like Winton Machine’s automation push. Disaster Loans Deadline: Michigan tornado survivors and affected businesses/nonprofits have until Aug. 28 to apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans after FEMA denied some aid. Payments Tech: Visa and UMSI launched “U Accept,” turning an eligible smartphone into a contactless card reader for Philippine MSMEs—lowering hardware and onboarding barriers.

Beneficial Ownership Rule Repeal: Treasury/FinCEN permanently ended Corporate Transparency Act beneficial ownership reporting for most U.S. small businesses, with foreign entities still required to report; the move is framed as cutting red tape, while critics warn it could make shell-company misuse easier. Legal Access for Small Firms: A GAO finding says the Army can’t bar small business teams from competing for a massive $50B professional-services deal. Disaster Relief for Small Businesses: Oregon launched a wildfire/wildfire-smoke self-report survey to document losses and support potential SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan eligibility; SBA also reminded private nonprofits in parts of Mississippi to apply for low-interest disaster loans after Tropical Storm Arthur. Early Education Funding Watch: Montana is weighing proposed Head Start changes that could shift classroom language rules and increase parent involvement, with owners running childcare centers watching for impacts on quality and access. Local Economic Incentives: Fort Worth approved incentives for a defense-tech firm considering a major manufacturing site, with a stated goal of using small businesses in the spend. PPP Fraud Settlement: Continental Aerospace Technologies agreed to pay nearly $12M over alleged ineligible PPP claims. Small-Biz Tech & Marketing: Adobe says SMBs using AI still need a clear point of view to avoid generic marketing.

Federal Health Policy Fight: Arizona and 20 other Democratic AGs sued the Trump administration to block 2027 ACA marketplace changes they say will strip “out-of-pocket protections” and push people toward costlier catastrophic plans. Customs & Trade Tech: U.S. Customs is leaning harder on AI to police imports, shifting how goods move through ports and raising new compliance pressure for small importers and exporters. Tariffs Hit Small Importers: NYC small businesses say they’ve seen little benefit from tariff refunds after the Supreme Court struck down emergency tariffs, while many still face new import costs and a tough refund process. SBA Disaster Relief: FEMA denied Michigan’s tornado-aid appeal, but the SBA says affected residents and businesses can still use low-interest disaster loans (deadline Aug. 28). Manufacturing Funding Push: The SBA launched a $20M Critical Suppliers Prize Competition to help small manufacturers scale domestic capacity in advanced metals, materials, and energy components. Hiring Optimism, Public Doubt: NFIB reported small-business optimism rose to the highest level since Aug. 2025, with more owners planning hiring and capex, even as Gallup shows the public remains pessimistic. Contractor Growth for Climate Work: Lendistry’s nonprofit The Center rolled out a Contractors Accelerator for Climate Resilience nationwide to help small contractors win climate-related projects. Local Business Impact: A Hudson Valley post office closed after 130 years, prompting Sen. Schumer to demand USPS reopen it, citing knock-on effects for residents and small businesses.

Beneficial Ownership Rollback: FinCEN permanently ends Corporate Transparency Act beneficial ownership reporting for U.S. companies and U.S. persons, and will delete previously submitted U.S. person data from the BOI database—aimed at cutting red tape for millions of small owners. Small-Business Hiring Mood: NFIB reports small-business optimism jumped to an 11-month high in July as more owners plan to hire, though labor shortages remain a top worry. AI Payoff for SMBs: New reporting highlights a widening gap between growing SMBs that actually see gains from AI and those that spend without results, with time savings translating into faster decisions. Cybersecurity Help: Senators Todd Young and Adam Schiff introduce a bill to evaluate and improve federal cybersecurity resources for small businesses. Local Contracting Overhaul: Kansas City moves to replace its minority- and women-owned business program with a broader small-business contracting plan after legal challenges. Energy Costs & Data Centers: Mississippians raise concerns that Entergy’s push to power Amazon data centers could drive higher residential bills. Hunger-Free Schools: Nebraska Sen. Bob Andersen backed LB966 to expand free school meals statewide. Disaster Recovery Support: SBA and SBDC partners run disaster-recovery workshops for CNMI businesses, focusing on loan applications and resilience planning. Housing Market Pressure: Existing home sales fall again in July as higher mortgage rates and tight supply keep buyers out.

Immigration Costs for Employers: DHS finalized a rule expanding the biometric fee for certain H-1B/L-1 employers, adding about $4,000 for H-1B petitions (and $4,500 for L-1) starting Sept. 9, including some same-employer H-1B extensions—paid by employers. Small-Business Hiring Pulse: NFIB says July small-business sentiment hit an 11-month high as owners’ hiring plans jumped, but labor quality/availability stayed the top worry and uncertainty rose. Disaster Relief: SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for drought-impacted businesses and nonprofits in parts of the West (with terms up to 30 years and deadlines into 2027). M&A Cools: BizBuySell reports small business acquisitions fell 10% in Q2 as buyers get pickier and lenders scrutinize more closely. Payment Pressure in Construction: A new look at late payments says the industry is still stuck with long payment cycles, squeezing cash flow for contractors and subcontractors. Policy/Trade: The Senate unanimously passed a bill to help intercept counterfeit imports by sharing shipping/packing info with rights holders and platforms. Tech for SMBs: A piece on AI adoption argues small firms need to move from isolated AI tools to consistent workflow value.

Manufacturing Supply Chain Push: U.S. Treasury and SBA leaders say they’re working with foreign investors to plug weak spots in U.S. manufacturing supply chains, pointing to Hanwha’s $5B Philadelphia shipyard plan and the need for domestic components as small and medium suppliers scale up. Disaster Loans Deadline: SBA is reminding West Virginia businesses and private nonprofits hit by a 2025 drought that the federal economic injury disaster loan application deadline is Sept. 8. Workforce & Training Grants: Nassau BOCES won a $5M SBA grant to expand manufacturing training and technical help for students and adults, aiming to feed Long Island’s defense-related job pipeline. Hiring Platform for SMBs: The National Business League named remoting.work its official global hiring platform to help small businesses recruit and retain talent. Customer Service Focus: A practical guide highlights empathy, communication, problem-solving, time management, and staying positive as key customer service skills. Local Business Spotlight: Beavercreek formalized the beaver as the city symbol amid national attention from Buc-ee’s lawsuit against Beaver’s Mini Mart. Space Tech for SMBs: NASA selected Gravitics for an SBIR award to develop an orbital hangar that could make commercial sample returns more routine. Job Market Signal: ADP reported private employers added only 44,000 jobs in July, missing expectations and showing uneven hiring momentum.

Litigation Costs: A new look at “tort tax” dynamics shows how lawsuit risk is driving up the cost of living and doing business in California, with the state flagged for large verdicts and aggressive liability theories. Neurotech Rules: California lawmakers are moving to regulate brain implants and workplace sensors as critics warn employers could use “brain data” without real consent. Local Permitting: Vancouver Farmers Market is asking the city to switch from annual permits to long-term status, arguing the current system adds uncertainty for small vendors. AI & Jobs: New research says AI exposure is linked to weaker wage growth and higher unemployment in affected roles, with longer jobless spells for younger workers. Outsourcing for SMBs: Virtual Edge Assistance is pitching nearshore virtual agent and BPO staffing as a way to cut overhead and scale customer support without more hires. Hemp Crackdown Fight: Seven Virginia hemp businesses sued to block a new THC cap tied to CBD ratios, saying it could force layoffs and shutdowns. Health Coverage Shock: Louisiana hospitals report a surge in uninsured patients after ACA subsidies expired, hitting small providers and local care capacity. Drone Compliance: The FCC is proposing retroactive limits on foreign drones with features like LiDAR and thermal imaging, raising compliance risk for small operators. Side Hustle to Career: AI consulting is highlighted as a side gig with strong odds of scaling into full-time work for 2026. Trade Pressure: A study says last year’s tariffs cost Indiana households about $2,600 and hit manufacturing jobs. Brand Trademark Clash: Buc-ee’s is suing a small Ohio mini-mart over a beaver logo, fueling local backlash and spotlighting how trademark fights can strain SMBs.

Manufacturing & Local Growth: A Northern Illinois Manufacturing Leadership Roundtable in Rockford brought together family manufacturers, community leaders, and SBA reps, highlighting how local supply chains and shared bidding can help firms compete as the region has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs since 1990. Federal Support for SMBs: The DOE launched the $500,000 STEP Prize to help next-gen energy storage move from lab prototypes to manufacturable products, explicitly welcoming small businesses and startups. Disaster Loans: SBA disaster loans are available for small businesses and nonprofits hit by severe storms in parts of Pennsylvania, with low-interest terms and a filing deadline of April 30. Hemp Policy Watch: The U.S. Senate voted to delay a federal hemp THC ban until Dec. 11, 2026, giving Minnesota and other hemp businesses more time to adjust. Regulatory Pressure on Tech: The FCC proposed retroactively blocking sales of “military-grade” foreign drones, including models with LiDAR and thermal cameras—an issue for small drone operators and related sellers. Trade Costs: A report says Trump-era tariffs cost the average Indiana household $2,600 and reduced manufacturing jobs, underscoring ongoing pressure on small manufacturers and suppliers. Small Business Legal/Brand Risk: Buc-ee’s trademark fight continues, with a lawsuit against a small Ohio mini-mart drawing community backlash and raising stakes for local branding. Workforce Shock: A Miami chef says the end of TPS has left him without his management team at multiple restaurant locations, warning of major business disruption.