AGP Executive Report

Disaster Readiness: Hurricane Polo churned toward Mexico’s Pacific coast with life-threatening rain and flooding risk, while Tropical Storm Nolo neared Hawaii with a hurricane watch for the Big Island and up to 20 inches of rain forecast—bad news for small operators along the coast. Retail & Payments: Square added an Apple Business integration so small sellers can manage location info in one place and keep Apple Maps/Siri/Wallet details current. Risk Management for SMBs: Brenden Theaters is using Kalshi prediction markets to hedge quarterly film-release uncertainty, a sign more small businesses are turning to “event contracts” to manage financial swings. Fraud Crackdown: The SBA suspended more than 96,000 Illinois borrowers tied to about $2.9B in suspected PPP/EIDL fraud, continuing pandemic-loan enforcement. Small-Business Tech & Hiring: Verizon pledged $70M for nationwide AI training with partners like Goodwill, targeting job seekers, small businesses, and educators. Local Growth & Funding: Crux Analytics raised $2.2M seed to help financial institutions win small-business clients without adding headcount. Online Lead Timing: New data found 38% of small-business website chats arrived after hours, with many still leaving contact info—an operations wake-up call for owners. Entrepreneurship Pulse: A survey found 64% of U.S. adults are sitting on business ideas they never launched, highlighting a big gap between intent and action.

AI Skills Push: Verizon is investing $70M in “Verizon AI Skills for America,” adding $50M to its earlier $20M effort to give free AI training to jobseekers, displaced workers, educators, and small businesses via partners like IBM, Google, Microsoft, Coursera, Anthropic, and OpenAI. Disaster Relief for Main Street: Uber is sending $200K to Spokane restaurants and drivers hit by August fires through its Disaster Relief Fund, while Maryland’s SBA approved Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Anne Arundel County after the Empire Towers structural emergency and will open an outreach center in Glen Burnie. Manufacturing Workforce Boost: Arizona Western College won a $5M SBA grant to expand manufacturing programs and support Southwest Arizona small manufacturers. Rising Insurance Costs: Colorado finalized premium hikes—about 10% for individual and 14% for small-business markets—citing the lack of extended enhanced federal premium tax credits. Fraud Crackdown Watch: DOJ’s PPP enforcement focus is shifting from flashy criminal cases to civil False Claims Act matters tied to eligibility, including employee headcount and affiliation rules. Small Business Innovation Funding: NSF launched a $20M two-year pilot to help small businesses commercialize deep technologies and bridge the “valley of death.”

Independent Contractor Fight (NJ): New Jersey’s independent-contractor “ABC test” rules are set to take effect Oct. 1, and critics warn the changes could raise costs and make it harder for parents, caregivers, retirees, military spouses, and entrepreneurs to earn a living. AI Skills Push (Verizon): Verizon is investing $70M to expand AI training for job seekers, small businesses, and educators, partnering with major nonprofits to close the AI readiness gap. Small-Business Tech (Amazon/SumUp): Amazon’s Seller Assistant adds 24/7 automation and a Claude integration via a selling-partner plugin, while SumUp launches POS Plus for restaurants and cafes with floor planning, order management, and accounting sync. Disaster Relief (NY): Gov. Kathy Hochul requested SBA physical disaster declarations for July flooding in multiple Hudson Valley counties, which could unlock low-interest loans for businesses and homeowners. Energy Costs/Data Centers (Texas): New research looks at whether data-center growth is driving higher residential electricity bills in Texas and other states. Local Commerce (Markets): Cedar Rapids’ Vintage Market Days returns Sept. 25–27 with about 85 small vendors. Business Risk (GoDaddy): GoDaddy faces a securities-fraud class action tied to customer acquisition disclosures, with a lead-plaintiff deadline of Oct. 26.

SBA Disaster Relief: Maryland’s SBA approved Gov. Wes Moore’s request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Anne Arundel County businesses hit by the Empire Towers structural emergency, with an outreach center opening Sept. 24 to help owners apply. Local Business Resilience: Workers have started removing vehicles trapped for months in Empire Towers’ garage, a sign of recovery for affected tenants and small operators. Small-Business Formation Pressure: New research says Michigan ranks near the bottom for new business formation, with the National Federation of Independent Business pointing to red tape as a key drag on startups. Health Coverage Fallout: Hawaii faces uncertainty as the Trump administration moves to cancel Obamacare coverage nationwide over alleged fraud, raising risks for small employers tied to workers’ benefits. Payments Competition: Moov launched a P2P transfer option aimed at small banks and credit unions, using existing debit card accounts to compete with Zelle and others. Cybersecurity for Contractors: Mississippi is hosting “Securing the Coast,” a free event focused on helping small businesses meet federal cybersecurity expectations for contracting. Small Business Recognition: Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst named North Lumber & Home Center as Small Business of the Week. Border/Travel Impact: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expanding operations in a state hit by Canadian tourism declines, a move that could affect local small-business travel and hospitality demand. Business Spotlight: The Knitting Tree, L.A. earned national honors for its emotional-support chicken pattern, showing how niche products can scale.

Energy Costs & Hotels: Hilton is rolling out an all-electric “Home2 Suites Clean Energy Prototype” aimed at cutting utility bills and emissions as hotel energy costs climb. AI for Small Business: A Federal Reserve Third District look finds AI adoption among small firms lags the national pace, while common uses center on writing/marketing and productivity. AI Governance: Sen. Tammy Baldwin urges Congress to add safeguards and independent oversight for AI before the election, with workforce protections a key theme. Crypto & Main Street: Rep. Brian Jack convened a hearing on how digital assets could reduce payment friction for small businesses, calling for clearer rules and education. Cross-Border Payments: Thunes will expand J.P. Morgan Payments’ Xpedite Remit to speed payouts to bank accounts and mobile wallets across 100+ corridors. Disaster Relief: Wayne County’s chamber-backed flood grants get an extra $50,000, with more help for first-time and repeat applicants. Local Contracting: Akron launches a race- and gender-neutral Small Business Enterprise program to bring small-business participation earlier in the contracting process. Health Insurance Pressure: A KFF report highlights families dropping ACA coverage after premium spikes, underscoring affordability strain on small-business-adjacent households. Exports Support: Indiana wins $765,000 for IN-STEP to help small firms expand exports and reach overseas customers. Energy Grid Fight: Wisconsin lawmakers push back on the BECI high-voltage line over farmland, property rights, and utility-cost concerns. Small Business Funding: USDA backs the Grand Junction Business Incubator with nearly $700K for rural microloans and technical assistance.

Retirement & Main Street Pressure: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that retirement is “slipping out of reach,” highlighting a widening savings gap that could hit consumer spending and small-business demand. Immigration Climate for Local Shops: In Austin, rising ICE activity and a shooting near small businesses are fueling fear among neighborhood owners and workers. Fuel Costs as a Small-Business Tax: Diesel and gas prices keep climbing after the Iran war, with Iowa candidates pitching competing plans that directly affect trucking, farmers, and razor-thin margins. SBA Disaster Loans: SBA is offering low-interest drought loans for eligible Oregon/Idaho/Washington businesses and nonprofits, plus disaster loans for Nevada areas hit by the Bug and Hawk fires. Tourism Dollars: West Virginia hit a record $9.4B tourism economic impact, with overnight travel driving big daily spend for lodging and local small businesses. Tech & Training for SMBs: MSU Extension launched “AI to Answers” to help agricultural entrepreneurs use AI for digital marketing, and 360training acquired Atlantic Training to expand workplace safety and HR compliance training. Policy Watch: Texas Gov. Abbott ordered a halt on data center permits pending audits, aiming to prevent costs from shifting to residents and small businesses. Legal/Competition: States settled to clear the Paramount-Warner merger path, with Hollywood warning about potential layoffs and knock-on effects for vendors and small contractors.

GovTech for SMBs: Glass launched an AI-powered “G-Commerce Supplier Experience” to help small businesses sell to government buyers through one centralized marketplace. Hollywood antitrust: Paramount struck a deal with 12 state AGs, clearing the way for its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition and avoiding a looming $7M-a-day “ticking fee.” Payments for community banks: Chesapeake Bank and Reading Cooperative Bank went live with Rebolt’s bank-owned payment utility built for small business customers. AI marketing reality check: A PYMNTS Intelligence survey found SMBs that track customer acquisition are far more likely to report revenue growth, with digital-led firms gaining an edge. Local growth & storefront equity: Worcester’s Main South is using a lease-to-own condo model to help small business owners build stability and equity in their locations. Export help: Guam’s Guam STEP program reopened applications, offering export training, financial support, and market access for eligible small businesses. Compliance & fees: New Jersey shoppers are pushing back on extra card fees; rules around debit vs. credit surcharges are under renewed scrutiny. Fraud pressure on budgets: LA County faces hundreds of millions in fraud-related losses tied to pandemic relief, homelessness contracts, and other programs. Workforce costs: A benefits panel stressed that employers need benefits beyond health insurance, with retirement and accurate plan procedures to reduce audit risk.

Trade War Pressure: Trump’s escalating tariffs on Canada are expected to spike prices on certain Canadian goods, with small businesses on both sides warning cross-border sales get hit hardest. Immigration & Hiring Scrutiny: The Trump administration orders federal agencies to scrutinize H-1B filings from employers that have laid off, or plan to lay off, U.S. workers, and renews a $100,000 fee for certain petitions—raising compliance stakes for small employers and contractors. PPP Fraud Crackdown: A federal grand jury indicted two Kansas City-area women in separate PPP loan fraud cases totaling nearly $55,000, as part of a broader DOJ push against SBA-related scams. Local Growth & Funding: PennDOT announced $32M in federal money for EV chargers across eastern Pennsylvania, with applications due March 12, 2027. Business Support & Training: Charles Schwab Bank is backing The DEC Network’s new Fort Worth hub to expand mentorship and financial education for entrepreneurs. Workforce/Contracts Shift: An analysis finds small contractors tied to public land agencies took a $1.3B hit in 2025, with fewer on-the-ground jobs as wildfire response shifts toward air operations. Tech & Consumer Trends: Visa highlights the “couch economy,” showing more everyday spending moving online—an opportunity for small retailers to rethink how they reach customers.

Gas prices and politics: Voters across the U.S. are blaming the Iran war for soaring fuel costs, with polling and interviews showing real strain on working families as early voting ramps up. Local elections and affordability: In New Hampshire’s 1st District, business-focused GOP Rep. Anthony DiLorenzo faces Democrat Stefany Shaheen, with both campaigns leaning into cost-of-living concerns. Fraud crackdown hits Main Street: DOJ’s “Fraud Week” spotlighted SBA-related schemes, including a Missouri identity-theft case tied to alleged stolen corporate identities and hundreds of defendants nationwide. Small-business export push: Guam STEP reopened applications for eligible small businesses seeking export training, funding for website/marketing, and help reaching overseas markets, supported partly by an SBA grant. Crypto and small business: A House subcommittee hearing examined how digital assets could affect everyday small firms, especially stablecoins and clearer rules. Local business spotlight: A restored historic hotel in Pennsylvania has reopened with a new restaurant concept, aiming to draw diners back to the community.

Election & Voting Access: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Sen. Tom Umberg’s “Protect Our Polls Act” (SB 884), adding safeguards against voter intimidation and arrests by federal agents near polling places. Export Growth: Guam’s Guam State Trade Expansion Program (Guam STEP) is now accepting applications (deadline Oct. 2), offering export training, financial help, and market access for small businesses. Small-Business Banking: American Express launched a high-yield Business Savings account (2.95% APY) for eligible U.S. small businesses, designed to pair with Business Checking. Consumer Costs & Local Impact: Rising beef prices are squeezing restaurants, with one Oklahoma operator saying ground beef costs nearly doubled and planning a menu price jump. Local Tech Visibility: RecensioAI found many small businesses are “invisible” to Google and AI search due to missing basic profile details like website, phone, and regular hours. Payments Fees Crackdown: Corpay (formerly FleetCor) agreed to a $100M FTC settlement over alleged hidden fees affecting many small businesses. AI Policy Push: A House subcommittee hearing focused on what digital assets could mean for small businesses, as lawmakers debate clearer rules. Data Center Power Fight: The Ratepayer Protection Act advanced in the House and faces Senate roadblocks, targeting how data centers cover rising electricity costs.

AI Policy Push: Lawmakers introduced dozens of AI bills after top tech voices warned about existential risks, including proposals to pause advanced AI and impose limits on AI data centers. Data Center Costs Fight: The Ratepayer Protection Act advanced in the House but stalled in the Senate, aiming to make data-center operators pay for grid and power upgrades instead of families and small businesses. Small-Business Banking: Amex launched a high-yield Business Savings account (2.95% APY) to pair with its business checking for cash management. Consumer Fees Settlement: Corpay (formerly FleetCor) agreed to a $100M FTC settlement over hidden fuel-card fees, with many affected customers described as small businesses. Export Help in Guam: Guam STEP opened applications for small firms seeking overseas markets, offering export training and financial awards. Local Business Pressure: Rising beef prices are forcing some Oklahoma restaurants to raise menu prices about 10%. Workforce & Growth: Michigan Economic Development Corporation is cutting 15% of staff amid revenue declines. Franchise Support: The International Franchise Association says the Trump administration backs the American Franchise Act.

Data Center Cost Fight: The House overwhelmingly advanced the Ratepayer Protection Act to stop families and small businesses from footing electricity upgrades driven by new data centers, but the Senate blocked it via a Democrat objection—keeping pressure on utility regulators and state policymakers. Small-Business Credit & Fraud: DOJ and partners continue cracking down on COVID-era PPP fraud, including a case tied to a fentanyl trafficking ring and other SBA-related prosecutions, while Nebraska launched a federal-state fraud partnership to catch taxpayer-funded scheme activity earlier. Rising Input Costs: Oklahoma restaurant owners say beef prices have nearly doubled over five years, forcing menu price hikes as weekly sourcing leaves them exposed to sudden cost swings. Local Growth & Grants: Athens, Ohio awarded a fresh round of “Opportunity Grants” to boost small businesses in retail-stagnant districts, aiming to spur new trade and commerce. Tech & Security for SMBs: NinjaOne expanded into browser management and AI governance, while Arctic Wolf rolled out an MDR tier for MSPs—signals SMB-focused security tooling keeps evolving. Consumer Protection: Florida AG joined a lawsuit against Amazon over alleged hidden advertising surcharges that regulators say raised costs for sellers and shoppers.

Data Center Cost Fight: The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (417-3) to push data centers to cover incremental power and grid upgrade costs, but the Senate stalled it after a single objection blocked unanimous consent—leaving small businesses and households watching utility bills. SBA & Disaster Relief: SBA reminded Pennsylvania businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters to apply for low-interest storm/flood disaster loans by Oct. 19. SBA Lending Rules: SBA loan underwriting has changed in 2026, and some updates could make approvals harder for borrowers. Flood Recovery: A Maryland hardware store owner says a historic flood left more than $1M in damage and a shopping center’s future in doubt. Cyber & Payments: Mastercard launched “Dreamonomics” tools for small businesses, while federal charges target alleged card-skimmer planting at local stores. Trade & Growth: The 5th New York International Trade Fair opened with SBA leadership and B2B matchmaking for U.S.-Bangladesh ties. Grants for Communities: Meta opened applications for its Future is for Everyone Fund, including support for economic vitality and small businesses near its data centers. Pitch Competition: SBA’s Freedom 250 Million Dollar Pitch Competition selects five entrepreneurs for a $1M prize in Washington, DC.

Energy Costs Hit Main Street: AAA Michigan says diesel is at a record $6.54 a gallon, up $2.83 from a year ago, squeezing trucking, construction, and farms—then costs can trickle to consumers. Trade Pressure on SMBs: The U.S.-Canada trade war is adding new taxes and import bans, raising operating costs for small businesses caught in the crossfire. Data Center Backlash Meets Policy: The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (417-3) to push data centers to pay for grid upgrades instead of shifting bills to households and small businesses; Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is also backing similar efforts. Local Disaster Loans: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore requested SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Anne Arundel County businesses impacted by the Empire Towers shutdown. Small-Business Finance & Fraud: Federal prosecutors highlighted COVID relief fraud cases, including a Mount Pleasant man sentenced for misusing EIDL funds. Big Tech Oversight: A judge blocked Google’s ad-tech breakup but ordered behavioral changes and monitoring. Payments Innovation: A restaurant exec testified that crypto could cut card processing fees, while Visa research finds consumers don’t yet trust AI with transactions—except when trusted brands are involved.

Military Entrepreneurship: Military Street USA launched a unified national platform for military-connected entrepreneurs, pooling mentorship, training, access to capital, marketing help, advocacy, and an e-commerce marketplace. Trade & Tariffs: Anti-tariff billboards in Michigan ask “What’s worse than Ohio?” as the U.S.-Canada trade fight escalates, with lawmakers and voters warning tariffs raise costs for small businesses. Data Centers & Power Costs: The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (417-3) to curb how households and small businesses could be stuck paying grid upgrades for 100+ megawatt data center loads, with the fight now shifting to the Senate and state regulators. Retail Scrutiny: Senators Baldwin and Scott urged the FTC to investigate Amazon and Walmart over AI shopping tools that allegedly hide “Made in America” items and miss potential labeling fraud. Local Growth: Amazon opened its DUG2 facility in Redmond, expanding faster delivery and highlighting Central Oregon small sellers. Office Real Estate Niche: Demand for secure SCIF office space is rising in the DC region as defense and intelligence work grows. Disaster Readiness: The Red Cross and U.S. Chamber Foundation rolled out a Ready Rating program with $5,000 recovery grants for small businesses that complete readiness steps. Veteran Certification: Applied Biologics and Phenix Technology both received SBA veteran-owned certifications, opening more federal contracting opportunities. AI Ad-Tech: A judge rejected a Google ad-tech breakup, ordering behavioral changes and an internal compliance monitor instead. Small Business Compliance: Paxus CPA Group adopted Rightworks to tighten access controls for its growing hybrid, multi-location client work. Hemp Uncertainty: Illinois hemp sellers warned a looming federal ban could force major product cutbacks starting Dec. 11.

Data Center Cost Fight: The U.S. House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (417-3), pushing states to require large data centers to cover power and grid upgrade costs instead of shifting bills onto households and small businesses. Energy & Affordability: The vote spotlights AI-driven electricity demand as lawmakers argue for corporate accountability while keeping infrastructure investment moving. Consumer Protection vs. Regulation: The House also advanced a resolution to overturn an EPA waiver letting California enforce new emissions rules for commercial harbor craft—aimed at preventing added operating costs from spreading through U.S. supply chains. Cybersecurity for SMBs: The House Small Business Committee advanced two bipartisan bills by Rep. Tony Wied, including a Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Act to expand SBA guidance and best practices. Disaster Relief Access: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers requested an SBA Rapid Disaster Declaration for Winnebago County tornado damage, which could unlock SBA disaster loans for businesses and residents. Fraud Crackdown: Two women tied to COVID-era PPP relief fraud in West Virginia pleaded guilty/sentenced, including a scheme using false business ownership claims. Tech & Competition: A federal judge ordered Google to change ad-tech practices and add an internal compliance monitor, stopping certain lock-in behaviors that limit publishers’ ability to use competing platforms. SMB Funding Update: NIH opened new construction grant eligibility for for-profit companies and small businesses starting with applications due on/after Jan. 25, 2027.