AGP Executive Report

Tariffs in court: A U.S. appeals court let Trump’s 10% global baseline tariff stay in place while legal challenges continue, with the government arguing it could cause “irreparable harm” to trade policy if paused—raising costs for small importers and manufacturers even as refunds remain possible. SBA rule changes: The SBA proposed major reforms to its 8(a) program, aiming to remove the “rebuttable presumption” of social disadvantage for individuals tied to certain groups, while saying the shift won’t directly affect tribes and Alaska Native corporations. Cybersecurity warning: The FBI says a scam group is impersonating IT support to trick employees into installing remote access tools, then showing up in person to copy files and plant malware before ransom demands. COVID relief fraud crackdown: Seven men were arrested and indicted across three states for allegedly using fake documents to obtain SBA PPP/EIDL funds, totaling about $205,639. Local business support: Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall toured manufacturers and biosecurity/ethanol-related firms in eastern Kansas, highlighting deregulation and pro-business tax proposals. Small business community: The SBA and Office of Advocacy praised actions to reopen Pacific fishing grounds for U.S. boats, a move framed as helping small, family-owned fishing businesses compete.

Federal Contracting Shake-Up: The SBA says it will propose major changes to the 8(a) Business Development Program, removing the “socially disadvantaged” presumption for individuals tied to designated groups, while saying the shift won’t directly hit tribes and Alaska Native corporations. Procurement Push for “American-Made”: After a White House Small Business Summit, the SBA and GSA moved to remove nearly two dozen foreign product listings from GSA Advantage! over concerns about misleading “Made in America” claims. Payments Cost Pressure: A new report highlights how card processing fees are climbing fast, and a payments startup argues it can help small businesses pay less than today’s dominant options. World Cup Disruption Watch: Host cities across Canada (and nearby U.S. areas) are bracing for crowding, traffic, noise, and safety concerns that could disrupt local small businesses. Local Growth & Awards: SBA-backed recognition continues in rural communities, including an Iowa “Small Business of the Week” spotlight on Leah Jean Boutique, plus Pennsylvania downtown funding for Jamestown, Falconer, and Hamburg. Broadband Funding: New York’s ConnectALL awards total $8.3M to expand affordable internet access and digital equity, including support for low-income and rural areas.

Tariffs & refunds: A federal appeals court let Trump’s 10% global tariffs stay in place for now, even as legal fights continue—while Senate Democrats pressed CBP to finally refund more than $145B in unlawful tariff charges to small businesses. SBA access squeeze: The SBA stopped approving loans for some green-card holders, leaving entrepreneurs like a Los Angeles spa owner unable to qualify under new rules. SBA disaster relief: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are now available for Rhode Island blizzard impacts and for Utah’s drought-hit Summit County businesses and nonprofits. Federal procurement crackdown: The SBA and GSA are removing nearly two dozen foreign products from the federal marketplace over concerns about misleading “made in America” claims. Broadband push: New York’s ConnectALL awards total $8.3M to expand affordable broadband and digital equity, including service to 21,000+ locations in Genesee County. Local jobs: Austrian skincare firm Ringana plans a Roanoke HQ investment creating 435 jobs. Supply chain logistics: DOT unveiled a plan to pre-screen import containers to speed freight processing. Business risk: Fidelity reported widespread trading and login outages, disrupting customers during market hours. Workforce training: Meta’s trades training program is expanding paid pathways into skilled jobs.

SBA & immigration rules: The SBA stopped approving loans for green-card holders under a new policy that limits eligibility to fully U.S.-citizen ownership, tightening access for immigrant entrepreneurs who previously relied on SBA funding. World Cup disruption for small businesses: New York City is restricting Midtown deliveries during World Cup match days, with truck bans that can last up to 11 hours, and taxi drivers warn roadblocks and gridlock could further cut trips and sales. Tariffs still on the table: A federal appeals court let Trump’s 10% worldwide tariffs keep being collected while legal fights continue, a procedural win that keeps pressure on import costs for small businesses. Disaster relief updates: The SBA rolled out low-interest disaster loans for drought-hit South Carolina and for multiple weather events in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, offering working-capital help even without physical damage. Federal contracting shake-up: The SBA proposed major changes to the 8(a) program, ending race-based “social disadvantage” admissions and requiring applicants to prove eligibility with verifiable facts. Local business support: Palm Bay, Florida opened a new no-cost Small Business Development Center office at UCF, expanding counseling, training, and market research for entrepreneurs.

SBA Contracting Shake-Up: The SBA proposed ending the race-based “socially disadvantaged” admissions framework for the 8(a) Business Development Program, requiring applicants to prove eligibility with verifiable, fact-based support—aimed at equal access to federal set-asides. Tariff Refund Pressure: Senate Democrats say the Trump administration still hasn’t refunded more than $145B in tariffs ruled unlawful by the courts, demanding CBP pay small businesses what they’re owed. Workforce Funding: Massachusetts announced $17.9M in grants for 1,255 businesses to train and retain 15,900 workers, with plans to add 1,000+ jobs. Local Contract Wins: Long Beach’s Port awarded $54.4M in small business services and materials contracts, nearly 45% of eligible spending. Small-Business Lending Tech: VizyPay is embedding faster loan applications via a Jaris partnership inside its payments app. World Cup Boost for Main Street: SumUp survey finds fans prefer local bars/restaurants over chains and will spend more—if SMBs run the right promotions.

Fraud & Enforcement: A former St. Louis nonprofit circus board president, George S. Pace, was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison and ordered to repay $130,905 after admitting he diverted organization funds for personal spending. Consumer Costs: U.S. inflation hit a 3-year high as May consumer prices rose 4.2% year over year, driven in part by higher gas prices—squeezing household budgets and complicating small-business planning. Policy Watch: Pennsylvania’s House passed a digital advertising tax that would expand its gross receipts tax to cover digital ads sold by big tech platforms, setting up a Senate fight that could affect marketing costs for small sellers. Workforce & Energy: A report warns the oilpatch will need about 72,000 workers by 2035 (mostly to replace retirees), while energy-price pressure continues to ripple through the economy. Small Business Support: The SBA proposed changes that could let more firms qualify for the 8(a) program by tying eligibility to harm from DEI-related policies. Local Food Access: USDA’s SNAP rule would require retailers to stock more varieties of perishable foods—raising compliance burdens for smaller rural stores that risk losing authorization. Legal Risk for SMBs: A judge signaled FDA nicotine pouch rules may be flawed, and a separate case highlights how patent “second bites” in the USPTO’s IPR system can be rejected. Community & Inclusion: QuickBooks shared practical ways small businesses can support the LGBTQ+ community year-round beyond Pride-month marketing. Cyber/Payments Risk: Command Credit launched CommandInsight to help small businesses check rising payment risk. Grid Reliability: One report warns the Eastern power grid could face emergency peak shortages by June 2027, pushing SMBs to prepare for outages.

Disaster Loans Deadline: SBA is reminding Arizona businesses and private nonprofits (plus Salt River Pima-Maricopa and San Carlos Apache tribes) that the July 10 deadline is coming for low-interest disaster loans tied to the Sept. 25–27, 2025 Gila County flooding. More Storm Relief: SBA also announced low-interest disaster loans for Idaho counties hit by Dec. 16–18, 2025 straight-line winds, with options for physical damage repairs and mitigation upgrades. Hawaiʻi Recovery Timing: Hawaiʻi County says FEMA individual assistance and SBA physical-damage loan applications for this year’s kona low storms must be filed by Sunday, June 14. Inflation Pressure: New data shows May inflation at 4.2% year over year, driven by higher gas prices—bad news for household budgets and small-business demand. Tariff Refunds Watch: A USA Today review finds many big firms plan to seek tariff refunds, but only a few say they’ll return money to customers. Brand Protection Tool: Trademark Engine launched an AI app to help businesses search, prepare, and file USPTO trademarks, aiming to cut filing errors and speed up the process. Shop-Small vs. Spend-Less: Constant Contact reports more people say they shop mostly at small businesses, but many are cutting spending due to rising costs.

Small Business Sentiment: NFIB says small business optimism fell in May to the lowest level since Oct. 2024 as inflation, fuel costs, and supply chain disruptions keep squeezing margins, with fewer owners planning capital spending. Trade & Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection highlighted how CTPAT helps trusted small businesses cut inspections and speed border processing while strengthening supply chain security. Fraud Crackdown: DOJ says two contractors and executives will pay $21.3M to resolve False Claims Act allegations tied to federal contracts reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Disaster Relief: SBA announced low-interest disaster loans for drought-hit Mississippi businesses and private nonprofits, with Economic Injury Disaster Loans available for working capital losses. Policy Watch: Rep. Johnny Olszewski introduced a bill to require annual reporting on small business participation in federal contracting programs, aiming to boost transparency around certifications and approvals. Local Business Pressure: Mesa, Arizona’s flight school landing-fee plan is headed to a federal lawsuit as the FAA urges the city to pause. Energy Reliability: A report warns the Eastern power grid could run out of emergency peak capacity by June 2027, raising blackout risk for households and businesses.

Franchise Enforcement: New York AG Letitia James secured a record $3.97M settlement from Xponential Fitness over claims it misled franchise owners about opening timelines, highlighting how small operators can get burned by franchise sales tactics. Payments Pressure: A judge gave preliminary approval to a revised $38B Visa/Mastercard settlement, but retailers say swipe-fee costs are still squeezing margins and won’t fully fix the underlying problem. Fraud Crackdown on Veteran Set-Asides: DOJ says two NY electrical contractors and executives will pay $21.3M to resolve False Claims Act allegations tied to using ineligible pass-through service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. Cyber Help in Congress: Rep. Lateefah Simon introduced a bill to study and improve federal cybersecurity assistance for small businesses, aiming to identify gaps and boost effectiveness. Small-Business Sentiment: NFIB reported May optimism fell and more owners plan to raise prices, pointing to inflation staying sticky. Local Support & Grants: American Express’ Shop Small® grants put $20,000 into A&A Equipment Repair, while Wisconsin’s SBIR Advance program awarded matching funds to help innovators commercialize. Workforce Pipeline: Meta announced $115M for free training to enter data-center skilled trades, starting in several states.

Small Business Disaster Relief: SBA is offering low-interest drought disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofits in parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, with Economic Injury Disaster Loans aimed at covering operating costs when drought impacts cash flow. Food Supply Chain Support: USDA launched a Small Processors Action Plan and added $60M for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, targeting small and very small plants with faster help and clearer appeals while keeping food-safety standards. Fraud Crackdown: A federal case charges an Orlando man with mortgage and COVID-19 relief fraud, including false income on a mortgage application and overstated payroll for PPP/EIDL. Consumer Payments Pressure: In Cebu, fragmented digital payment systems are adding hidden bookkeeping and reconciliation costs for micro, small and medium businesses. Local Business Growth: Colorado’s SBDC network received $1.81M in federal funding to advise thousands of businesses and help secure capital. Retail Theft Enforcement: Suffolk County expanded a Retail Protection Partnership after charging 18 serial shoplifters tied to $110K+ in losses. Tech/Policy Watch: CFPB is being sued over a fair lending rule change under ECOA, with a July 21 effective date.

Federal Funding for Advisors: Colorado’s SBDC network won $1.81M in SBA-backed federal funding to keep no-cost advising and training running statewide, serving all 64 counties and helping clients secure $75M in capital last year. Disaster Relief: SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Oregon businesses and nonprofits hit by late-2025 storms and flooding (up to $2M for businesses; homeowners up to $500K). Small-Business Cash Pressure: Bankruptcy filings rose 7% year over year in May, with small business filings up 36%, pointing to higher costs and tighter credit. Cyber Insurance Scrutiny: Insurers are increasing underwriting and claims pressure as rates fall, pushing policyholders to strengthen security controls and manage third-party tech risk. Compliance & Contracts: A guide on “flowdown clauses” highlights how prime contractors must pass federal obligations to subcontractors—mistakes can trigger major liability. Local Cost Crunch: At a Eugene roundtable, small businesses told Sen. Jeff Merkley that ingredient, electricity, insurance, and fuel surcharges are squeezing sales. Energy Costs Watch: Data centers adding on-site gas power could raise bills for homes and small businesses, as projects face grid delays. Hiring Basics: A practical piece covers how to plan and budget for your first employee, from job descriptions to legal requirements. Marketing Risk: Small businesses are warned about using “World Cup” branding in promotions without crossing trademark lines.

Small Business Sales Watch: Fiserv’s Small Business Index shows May sales were flat month over month, with transactions down 0.2% and foot traffic still soft (down 2.4% year over year for the seventh straight month), even as average ticket sizes rose 3.1%—a sign customers are spending more per visit while staying cautious. World Cup Cost Pressure: In New York, Zohran Mamdani pushed FIFA on dynamic pricing and secured 1,000 $50 tickets via a lottery, after high resale prices and an AG investigation highlighted how tournament costs are hitting working fans. AI for SMBs: DocuSign rolled out an AI-powered Intelligent Agreement Management platform (with an assistant called Iris) aimed at speeding up contract reviews and approvals for smaller teams. Disaster Relief for SMBs: SBA opened low-interest drought Economic Injury Disaster Loans across parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota, covering working capital losses tied to drought. Local Growth & Training: Northwest State Community College hosted a free business financing workshop through CEED to Success, targeting veteran-, women-, and minority-owned founders with lender and financing guidance. Food Supply Squeeze: Restaurant owners say wholesale costs are spiking—one operator reported major jumps in key ingredients—raising fears of further menu price hikes after Sysco’s planned Restaurant Depot purchase.

Disaster Relief Deadlines: FEMA and SBA disaster help for Winter Storm Fern victims in Tennessee runs through June 10, with SBA disaster loans also due then. Michigan Storm Aid: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration for April storms and flooding, which would unlock FEMA Individual and Public Assistance for dozens of counties. SBA Disaster Loans Update: For Typhoon Sinlaku in the CNMI, SBA approvals reached $9M as of June 4, with most aid going to homeowners and renters and a new in-person help site added. Small-Business Compliance Help: Arkansas APEX Accelerator is hosting a free workshop on government procurement and SBA certifications (registration online through Wednesday). Fraud Crackdown: DOJ charged four Ohioans tied to $1.4M in alleged COVID-era PPP fraud, and SBA has suspended 27,486 Ohio borrowers tied to suspected $1.1B in fraudulent loans. Accessibility Lawsuits: Disability advocates are pushing back on website ADA lawsuits, arguing they distract from lasting accessibility fixes. Local Business & Housing: Rogers, Arkansas launched a Pattern Zone program with preapproved home designs to speed up building and reduce upfront uncertainty. Media Merger Pressure: Hollywood workers and small business owners joined protests against Paramount Skydance’s $110B Warner Bros. Discovery deal, as states prepare legal challenges. World Cup Spillover: Early data shows Bay Area short-term rental demand is up for World Cup matches, but not as sharply as some boosters expected.

Government Contracting Help: Arkansas APEX Accelerator is hosting a free workshop in Hot Springs on navigating government procurement and SBA certifications, with SBA and procurement counselors on hand to walk owners through finding opportunities and preparing to bid. Local Housing Speed-Ups: Rogers, Arkansas launched its Pattern Zone program with preapproved building plans (15+ designs) to cut upfront cost and uncertainty for builders and help address housing shortages. Cannabis Compliance Watch: Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management held a Duluth listening session on the 2026 Cannabis Omnibus Bill, including upcoming federal limits that could affect small operators and medical patients. Fraud Crackdown Hits Main Street: DOJ charged four Ohioans over alleged PPP fraud tied to $1.4 million, and SBA says it’s continuing to suspend thousands of suspected pandemic-era loan borrowers. Small Business Spotlight: PNC and the Fort Wayne TinCaps named Copper Spoon and Three Rivers Electric as 2026 “Going to Bat for Small Business” winners, each getting a major marketing package. Disaster Relief: SBA opened low-interest drought EIDL loans for Georgia small businesses and private nonprofits, with coverage across 151 counties. Media Merger Pressure: Entertainment workers and small business owners joined protests against Paramount’s $110B Warner Bros. Discovery takeover, as states prepare legal challenges.

SBA Disaster Relief: The SBA opened low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Georgia drought losses starting Dec. 15, 2025, covering 151 counties and eligible small businesses and private nonprofits. Agency Overhaul: The SBA also announced an agency-wide reorganization aimed at cutting duplication and improving service and accountability for small businesses and disaster survivors. Small-Business Spotlight: PNC and the Fort Wayne TinCaps named 2026 “Going To Bat For Small Business” winners Copper Spoon and Three Rivers Electric, each receiving a major marketing package. Local Growth & Recognition: Española, N.M. cleaner Performance Maintenance Inc. (PMI) earned SBA New Mexico Small Business Person of the Year honors, with expansion plans including a new distribution center. Fraud Crackdown: A White House task force led by VP J.D. Vance says it has paused Medicare payments tied to fraud and referred $22 billion in suspected fraudulent small business loans back for collection. Cost of Money Debate: A new analysis argues Caribbean lending remains expensive, potentially slowing growth, while pointing to credit unions as a lower-rate alternative. Trade Adaptation: A FedEx Small Business Trade Index says many U.S. small firms are boosting inventory, diversifying suppliers, and considering nearshoring to handle global disruptions.

SBA Overhaul: The U.S. Small Business Administration announced an agency-wide reorganization aimed at cutting duplication and improving service for small businesses and disaster survivors. Defense & SMBs: The House Armed Services Committee advanced the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act, with a focus on revitalizing the defense industrial base and supporting small businesses. Disaster Relief Push: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked President Trump for a major disaster declaration for April flooding and tornado damage, which would unlock federal aid for families, businesses, and local governments. Disaster Loans for Drought: SBA opened low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans for drought-impacted small businesses and private nonprofits in parts of North Carolina. Stormwater Fees Fight: A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling upheld a challenge to stormwater charges, raising uncertainty for municipalities and property owners, including businesses facing higher impervious-area fees. Local Business Pressure: A May jobs report showed overall hiring strength, but accounting and related services shed jobs—while small-business hiring gains remain uneven. Regulatory Clash: Florida dive operators are pushing back on a proposed federal shark-feeding ban, arguing it targets small, conservation-focused businesses. Banking Shift Watch: Standard Chartered projects hundreds of billions could move from community banks into stablecoins by 2028, a potential headwind for local deposit-based lenders.