DOWNTOWN VICTORIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Jun 08 2026POLITICS

Small Businesses vs. Credit Card Fees

Business owners in Maine have long complained about the high costs of swipe fees. A former entrepreneur who helped local shops sell gift cards has seen how these charges eat into profits. He sold his company but kept the lessons learned. Now he urges lawmakers to reject a new bill that would let cr

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Jun 04 2026BUSINESS

Victoria’s Secret Brings Back Glamour and Stock Prices Rise

Victoria’s Secret once ruled the lingerie world with high-fashion models, diamond bras, and a glamorous image. But when the brand shifted toward body positivity and inclusivity, things went wrong. Sales dropped fast, and the stock price fell from $57 to under $20 by 2021. The company tried adding di

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Jun 03 2026BUSINESS

Trade Shake‑Ups: New Tariff Rules Stir Business Fears

Business leaders quickly voiced worries after the U. S. administration unveiled plans to rebuild tariff barriers that the Supreme Court had largely dismissed in February. The proposal, announced late Tuesday, would introduce two new tariff levels—10% and 12. 5%—on goods from roughly sixty countries

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Jun 03 2026ENTERTAINMENT

A Wonderland-style hangout spot is coming to Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta is getting a new spot that feels like stepping into a storybook. A team known for mixing food, drinks, and games is turning part of the old CNN Center into an Alice in Wonderland-themed venue called The Looking Glass. Construction starts after the 2026 World Cup, with plans to open

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May 26 2026BUSINESS

New Tax Rules Make Giving to Charity Harder for Businesses

Businesses that donate money will find the rules tougher from January 2026. A new law, called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), adds limits that cut into how much a company can claim as a tax deduction for charitable gifts. The effect is simple: a donation that once lowered the tax bill dollar

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May 19 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Reno’s Changing Downtown: Building a New Future

Downtown Reno is getting a major glow-up. Plans are in motion to turn a stretch of West Fourth Street into a lively entertainment zone with housing, stages, and even a towering hotel. The project began years ago when old motels got torn down, clearing space for something fresh. Now, developers are a

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May 14 2026TECHNOLOGY

The AI race heats up as businesses switch to a new leader

Businesses in the U. S. are now more likely to pay for Anthropic’s AI tool than OpenAI’s. In April 2026, Anthropic’s adoption hit 34. 4%, while OpenAI’s dropped to 32. 3%. The shift happened quickly—just a year ago, OpenAI led with 32%, and Anthropic barely registered. What changed? Anthropic’s codi

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May 12 2026BUSINESS

When water vanishes: How a break left a town high and dry

Downtown Lake Orion turned eerily quiet after a big pipe cracked early Sunday morning. On Monday, most shops stayed shut while crews worked to fix the damage. The loss of water hit restaurants hardest, especially since Sunday was Mother’s Day—a day usually packed with families dining out. One local

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May 11 2026BUSINESS

Making Bangor Better: How a New YMCA Hub Could Change the Region

Downtown Bangor is getting a big upgrade with a $57. 8 million project to build a fresh YMCA center. Older buildings can’t always keep up with modern needs, so replacing the current 45, 000-square-foot space with a newer 82, 000-square-foot building makes sense. This isn’t just about bigger rooms—it

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May 10 2026TECHNOLOGY

Why CEOs Need to Start Thinking About AI That Works in the Real World

Business leaders have spent years focused on AI that helps with office work and data analysis. Now, a wave of new AI is emerging—one that moves, interacts, and performs tasks in warehouses, factories, and even dangerous places. Unlike the AI that answers customer service chats, this technology blend

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