SMALL BUSINESS

Nov 20 2025BUSINESS

Small Business Lending Gets a Big Boost

Cardiff, Inc. just secured a major revolving credit line from a big U. S. bank. This isn't just any loan; it's a game-changer for small business financing. The money will help Cardiff lend more and grow faster. Why does this matter? Small businesses often struggle to get loans from traditional banks. Cardiff steps in with quick, flexible financing. This new credit l...

reading time less than a minute
Nov 16 2025BUSINESS

Building Bridges: Percy Manson's Journey in Community Banking

Percy Manson, a Kenner native, has spent his career connecting finance and community growth. After nearly ten years as a commercial banker, he joined Hope Credit Union as a senior vice president. His role focuses on expanding opportunities in overlooked neighborhoods. Hope Credit Union, established in 1995, aims to provide financial access to underserved areas in th...

reading time about 2 minutes
Nov 16 2025BUSINESS

Why Shopping Local in Utah is a Smart Move This Holiday Season

Shopping local isn't just about buying stuff; it's about supporting the people around you. In Washington County, small business owners say they do more for the community than big stores ever could. They build relationships, invest money locally, and create unique experiences. Take Jennifer Hawkins, who runs Reclaimed, a home and gift shop. She points out that when y...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 15 2025BUSINESS

Maryland's Small Businesses: A Call for Collaboration

Small business owners in Maryland are urging lawmakers to pay more attention to their needs. They believe that having a say in policy decisions is crucial for their success and the well-being of their communities. Recently, over 233 local entrepreneurs, including Khari Parker, attended the Goldman Sachs 10, 000 Small Businesses Summit in Washington, D. C. Their goal ...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 07 2025BUSINESS

Rochester Takes a Big Step to Boost Local Businesses

Rochester is now part of a nationwide project to make it easier for small businesses to succeed. The city was picked to join the Regulatory Justice Initiative, which aims to remove unnecessary rules that slow down entrepreneurs. This project is led by the Mayors Innovation Project and Cities Work at the Institute for Justice. Mayor Kim Norton is excited about this o...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 06 2025BUSINESS

Salem's Winter Wonderland: Keeping the Magic Alive Post-Halloween

Salem, a city known for its spooky season, is not ready to dim the lights just yet. With Halloween crowds thinning out, local groups are stepping up to keep the downtown area buzzing through the winter. Creative Collective and Salem Main Streets have teamed up to launch "Holiday Happenings, " a plan to support local businesses and attract visitors even after the Hall...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 06 2025BUSINESS

Russia's Tax Shift: A Breather for Small Businesses

Russia's government has decided to ease up on a planned tax increase for small businesses. This change comes after a lot of pushback from business owners who were worried about the impact. Initially, the plan was to make businesses with revenues between 10 million and 250 million roubles pay a 5% value-added tax (VAT) starting in 2026. But now, the government has adj...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 01 2025POLITICS

Small Businesses Fight Back Against Trump's Tariffs

The U. S. Supreme Court is set to hear a big case about tariffs. It's not just any case, though. It's about small businesses fighting back against tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. The man leading this charge is Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources, a family-run educational toy company. Woldenberg is not alone. He's joined by other small busine...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 01 2025BUSINESS

Smart Ways to Get a Business Loan

Running a small business is tough. There are many tasks to handle, like paying employees and sending bills to customers. Getting a loan can be even tougher. But did you know that smaller banks say yes to more loans than big ones? According to a recent report, small banks approve 82% of applications. That's higher than big banks, which only approve 68%. So, where you ...

reading time about 1 minute
Oct 31 2025POLITICS

Local Lenders Struggle as Funding Dries Up

In northern Virginia, Karlene Sinclair-Robinson is now focused on closing down the Community Business Partnership, a non-profit she once helped run as finance director. This organization, which has been around for nearly 30 years, is shutting its doors at the end of December. The reason? The Trump administration decided to withhold $324 million in funding that Congre...

reading time about 2 minutes