Rising Uncertainty, Slowing Optimism: What Small Businesses Are Signaling Now
The latest NFIB Small Business Economic Trends report shows that optimism among small business owners declined in September for the first time in three months. The Small Business Optimism Index fell to 98.8 (down 2.0 points from August), while the Uncertainty Index...
Federal Contracting Reforms Claimed to Ease Small Business Access
Many small business leaders view government contracting as a means to diversify their revenue streams. In September 2025, the White House and the Small Business Administration (SBA) claimed that reforms to federal contracting rules would reduce barriers for small...
SBA Refines Loan Options for Manufacturers with FY 2026 Fee Waiver
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has introduced the Manufacturing Loan Program (MLP), a dedicated track within its existing loan system. Rather than creating a new product, the program brings together two long-standing SBA tools, the 7(a) loan and the 504 loan,...
Digital Payment Adoption for Small Businesses: From Cash Decline to Digital Growth
For small businesses, how customers pay is just as important as what they buy. Customers Are Choosing Digital According to the Empowering Small Business 2025 report recently published by the US Chamber of Commerce, between one-third and two-fifths of small business...