search
US small businesses
Trends
- 1Space Force to deploy lasers against drones at Cape CanaveralโSpace Force Getting Lasers To Kill Drones Over Cape Canaveral Spaceport
The US Space Force is acquiring directed-energy laser systems to shoot down drones flying over Cape Canaveral, Florida, home to a major space launch complex. The weapons are intended to protect rockets, spacecraft and infrastructure from small unmanned aerial threats near the busy spaceport. Details on which systems will be fielded and when remain limited, but the move reflects growing concern about drone threats to critical launch sites.
- 2Valley National Bancorp to Acquire Digital Lender BluevineโValley National Bancorp to Acquire Bluevine Inc., Accelerating Its Digital Small Business Growth Strategy and Meaningfully Enhancing Its Core Funding Capabilities
Valley National Bancorp announced an agreement to acquire Bluevine Inc., a digital small business banking provider. The deal is intended to speed up the bank's digital small business growth strategy and strengthen its core funding capabilities. Details on price, timing and regulatory approval were not included in the initial announcement.
- 3Small Business Owners Head to Capitol for Healthcare SummitโผSmall Business Owners Visit Capitol for Healthcare Summit
The National Federation of Independent Business brought small business owners to the US Capitol for a healthcare summit focused on health coverage costs and policy affecting small employers. Participants are expected to meet with lawmakers and discuss rising premiums and healthcare access as key concerns for small businesses.
- 4Registration Opens for 2026 National Veterans Small Business EngagementโผThe 2026 National Veterans Small Business Engagement conference registration is open
The US Department of Veterans Affairs has opened registration for the 2026 National Veterans Small Business Engagement conference. The annual event connects veteran-owned small businesses with federal agencies, prime contractors and resource partners to pursue contracting opportunities. Veterans interested in growing their businesses through government contracting can now sign up ahead of the conference.
- 5Trump's trade war with Canada squeezing Albany farm cideryโHow Trump's trade war with Canada is squeezing a farm cidery in Albany
A small farm cidery in Albany, New York, is being hit hard by President Trump's trade war with Canada, according to Gothamist. Tariffs and cross-border trade tensions are raising costs and disrupting supplies for the local business, illustrating how US-Canada trade disputes are affecting small producers far from the border.
- 6Iowa businesses named among top 100 US small businessesโผIowa businesses recognized as top 100 US small businesses
Several Iowa businesses have been recognized as being among the top 100 small businesses in the United States, according to the Business Record. The recognition highlights the strength of the state's small-business community, though the names of the companies and the criteria used for the ranking have not been detailed in the available reporting.
- 7Small Business Index Shows Healthiest Sentiment Yet for Q3 2026โผThe Q3 2026 Small Business Index shows small businesses feel healthy
The US Chamber of Commerce has released its Q3 2026 Small Business Index, which indicates that small businesses across the United States are reporting a healthy outlook. The quarterly measure tracks confidence and conditions among small firms. The positive reading suggests owners feel stable about the economy, hiring and their prospects heading into the final months of 2026.
- 8Common Cents Act Would Address Penny Shortage for RestaurantsโผCommon Cents Act: Has Congress Finally Solved the Penny Problem for Restaurateurs?
The Common Cents Act is being discussed as a potential congressional fix to the penny problem affecting US restaurateurs, particularly small food businesses. The proposal would address the rising cost and scarcity of pennies, which has complicated cash transactions and pricing for restaurant owners. Industry outlets are asking whether Congress has finally found a workable solution to the long-running coin issue.
- 9SBA faces renewed pressure to advance its AI capabilitiesโSBA gets another push to step up its AI game
The US Small Business Administration is facing renewed calls to strengthen its use of artificial intelligence, according to federal technology coverage. The push suggests the agency's current AI adoption lags expectations, and observers are watching how it will modernize services for small businesses. Details on specific initiatives or deadlines remain limited in available reporting.
- 10US Chamber Shares Website Redesign Checklist for Small BusinessesโผSmall Business Website Redesign Checklist
The US Chamber of Commerce has published a checklist to guide small businesses through redesigning their websites. The guide covers the practical steps owners should take when updating an outdated site, from planning through launch. It is aimed at firms that rely on their online presence to reach customers but lack in-house web expertise.
- 11Small Businesses Added 28,000 Jobs in September, Gusto ReportsโGusto Small Business Jobs and Pay Report: Small Businesses Add 28,000 Jobs in September, Marking Eighth Straight Month of Growth
Payroll and HR platform Gusto reports that small businesses added 28,000 jobs in September, the eighth consecutive month of employment growth in the sector. The finding points to continued hiring momentum among small firms, which have been a key driver of US job creation, though the company's broader commentary on wages and business conditions was not included in the announcement.