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AI Agents Give Main Street Businesses Big Business Muscle
Running a small business has always meant doing more with less. The owner takes the morning shift, answers customer emails on lunch, reconciles the books
Stop the wiretap shakedown on Main Street
House Committee on Small Business Chairman Roger Williams called for federal modernization of surveillance laws following the introduction of bipartisan legislative efforts to protect businesses fr…
Walla Walla Fair parade brings crowd to Main Street
Attractions abounded for the weekend crowd of Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days on Saturday, Sept. 5, both at the fairgrounds and in downtown Walla Walla.
Hyannis Main Street closes Oct. 18 for fall block party
Hyannis Main Street closes to cars on Oct 18 for the Open Streets festival featuring music and family activities.
Labor Day rally held in Ellsworth
Uplifting workers was a key focus of Monday's Labor Day rally in Ellsworth, which featured multiple speakers, musicians and a march led by veterans down Main Street.
Main Street Iowa businesses win $75k in Open 4 Business pitch contest
Five small businesses located in Main Street Iowa districts – including two in Eastern Iowa – have won a combined $75,000 in state grants after successfully pitching their business expansion ideas Monday night, Oct. 5, in the finals of the 2026 Open 4 Business Competition. The annual contest, housed within the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s […]
Historic Main Street bank building on the market
After a century of housing some of Ellsworth's most well-known financial institutions, one of Main Street's oldest buildings is on the market.
‘They’re our neighbors’: Du Quoin business raises money after devastating downtown fire
Main Street T’s owner Sam Burns is selling “Du Quoin Strong” shirts to benefit the fire relief fund after a massive fire destroyed several downtown businesses.
How Silicon Valley used Main Street’s outrage against California privacy law
New changes to the California Internet Privacy Act promise to stop abusive wiretapping suits. They also quietly shield Big Tech from lawsuits.
LETTER: Thompson puts people before politics in response to MIDA concerns
Rep. Jason Thompson’s billboard on Logan’s Main Street shows the legislator with his family and reads “people before politics” in bold letters. This was demonstrated by Rep. Thompson’s rapid-fire response
Stowaways moving to Blue Hill
After a year of operating in the former MacLeod's Restaurant location at 63 Main Street in Bucksport, the seafood restaurant Stowaways is relocating to Blue Hill, according to a social
Trump rally at Ocean Center draws attention to Main Street businesses
Neptune’s Bar and Grill hosted a watch party for the president’s visit, drawing a crowd of supporters.
Oxford residents to vote on cannabis business cap Nov. 3
A number of Oxford residents are fed up with the perception that Main Street/Route 26 has become a cannabis corridor not reflective of the community's values.
Brews & Tunes hosts Matt Sanders on Sunday
JONESBOROUGH — Main Street Brews & Tunes will host Matt Sanders on Sunday, September 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. on the plaza of the International Storytelling Center. The One
Amendment 87 will devastate Main Street, communities
Amendment 87’s supporters say a graduated income-tax system would impact only a small number of “wealthy” Coloradans. But that claim ignores the broader economic consequences for local employers, family businesses, farms, ranches and the communities that depend on them. Colorado’s small businesses sustain Main Street and rural economies across the state. If small businesses can […]
Riverhead Town Board roundup: Town votes in favor of $1.95M offer to acquire the LI Science Center on East Main Street
The Riverhead Town Board voted to issue a $1.95 million appraisal offer to the Long Island Science Center for its East Main Street building in the downtown.
Flood leaves Hagerstown business owner at a crossroads
For 26 years, Gary Schuette has owned and operated Nettle Creek Ace Hardware, an anchor of Hagerstown’s shopping center area along East Main Street. Floodwaters ruined that storied business within hours Aug. 12, leaving its future in limbo. In addition to the hardware store, water affected the nearby hair salon, food mart, thrift store, car […]
Commentary: Native small business owner: Main Street needs someone in the room
I started Lakota Made in 2018 at my kitchen table with six salves, made from plant medicines I learned from Lakota elders. Today, we have a storefront on Riverfront Drive, a small production team, more than 100,000 online orders and customers in 213 countries and territories around the world. Our social media community has 179,000 […]
Marion retailer Purple Wagon a finalist in statewide contest
Longtime Uptown Marion retailer The Purple Wagon is one of five businesses from across the state in the running to receive up to $25,000 in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4
Adjoining businesses plan open house in Joseph
JOSEPH — Two new stores on Main Street will hold a joint open house Nov. 19 when the Joseph Book Co. and the Blue Mountain Donut and Pizza Co. open […]
The Hidden Network of Main Street Entrepreneurs Driving the American Food Industry
Behind Boar’s Head Brand is a dedicated network of more than 300 independent, authorized local purveyors nationwide. Discover how these local business owners bring premium quality products directly to supermarkets and delis across the country.
Longtime Hornell business owners launch downtown artisan sandwich shop
Krissy and Ryan Bale are taking on a new challenge with a Main Street sandwich shop in downtown Hornell, the Herb N’ Spice Sandwich Co.
Main Street festival kicks off Wednesday
Event will feature concert with Neon Daisy
Main Street Ledger: Rising Healthcare Costs Are Just One Piece of the Affordability Puzzle
Affordability continues to be at the center of conversations at kitchen tables across America, and on the campaign trail — with interventions in the credit card market once again being floated as a potential solution to ease financial pressures. While families are still feeling the pinch from the rising cost…
Car hits unoccupied business in Vergennes
The hit caused significant damage to the home on Main Street.
Three Blotto Band Members to Host ‘Blotto Fest’ at Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
Stony Brook, NY —Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will host Blotto Fest at its Stony Brook Village location (97 Main Street) on Sunday, Nov. 8th at 3pm. The event is free for members and included with general admission ticket or $10 at-the-door concert ticket.
Man accused of attacking man after being removed from Bangor business
Police were called to a business on Main Street around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday for a report of a man acting strangely.
Ranking Member Markey: SBA Administrator Loeffler, Trump Administration are Refusing to Answer to America’s 36+ Million Small Businesses and Workers, Leaving Main Street Behind
Loeffler canceled her scheduled Sept. 30 appearance before the Senate Small Business Committee, has not appeared before SBC in more than a year (Washington, September 28) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today released the following statement after Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler canceled her scheduled Wednesday appearance before the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Administrator Loeffler has not appeared before the committee in more than a year and has consistently refused to provide substantial answers to committee members in person, in writing, or via requested briefings. In June, Ranking Member Markey led every Democratic member of the committee in calling on Administrator Loeffler to appear before the committee to answer for the Trump administration’s cruel attacks on American small businesses, entrepreneurs, and workers. The Democratic lawmakers still have not received a response from Administrator Loeffler. “It is unacceptable that Administrator Loeffler chose to cancel her appearance before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. The Trump administration is once again ignoring the more than 36 million American small businesses, entrepreneurs, and workers who drive our economy and enrich our communities by refusing to answer questions about this administration’s reckless economic policies. It has been more than a year since Administrator Loeffler has appeared before our committee and answered questions from both Democrats and Republicans. Since then, the Trump administration’s attacks on Main Street have only worsened. “Small businesses are facing record high gas and diesel prices, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and never-ending uncertainty from Trump’s trade war with the world. Trump has terrorized Main Streets across the country with violent ICE raids, destroying families, communities, and local economies. Meanwhile, Administrator Loeffler and the Trump SBA have been in a Witness Protection Program, ignoring the Pain on Main Street that they have created. They have chosen to make drastic cuts to SBA funding and essential, bipartisan programs, including the closure of the SBA office in Springfield and removal of the SBA office from Boston; directly attacked immigrant small business owners and destroyed the promise of the American Dream; and proposed shortsighted small business size rules that would benefit billion-dollar businesses over actual small businesses. “It’s clear that Administrator Loeffler, President Trump, and their CEO billionaire buddies want to turn the Small Business Administration into the Big Business Administration, tear down our economy, and abandon Main Street. If that is indeed this administration’s goal, Administrator Loeffler must answer to the millions of small businesses, workers, and families in Massachusetts and across the country that this administration is leaving behind.” ###
Main Street Sports sues Comcast, Charter for underpaid licensing fees
Main Street has been in the process of winding down its portfolio of regional sports networks since the the NHL and NBA seasons ended earlier this year.
Bipartisan bill would protect MD small business deposits
Commentary: U.S. Senators introduce the Main Street Depositor Protection Act to raise deposit insurance for small business accounts.
Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times
Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”
Vancouver’s Main Street reopens after $26M makeover
The Southwest Washington city celebrates the reopening of Main Street after a nearly two-year redevelopment. The project, first envisioned in the 1990s, took a toll on businesses along the corridor.
Inaugural NMB Live! fills Main Street with music, family fun and community spirit
Main Street was filled with music, laughter and plenty of activity Saturday as residents and visitors gathered for NMB Live!, a daylong celebration of music, food, shopping and family fun. The free festival took place Sept. 26 and brought the North Myrtle Beach community together for an afternoon of live music and other forms of entertainment.
On Main Street, Goldman Sachs makes a big bet on AI
The Wall Street giant says it’s teaming up with OpenAI, Google, Meta and Anthropic to help small businesses embrace artificial intelligence.
Charlie’s Beat: Creating an experience in Madison
I love talking with newcomer folks like Ally and Chad Fife, owners of the Book Haven store on Main Street. They came to Madison just over three years ago, and
White House withholding $289 million of small business loans
The Trump administration is withholding $289 million appropriated by Congress for loans to small businesses. The elimination came through an executive order last year, with President Trump saying the program was "woke" and promoted "gender extremism" and "climate radicalism." NBC News senior financial reporter Gretchen Morgenson details the reasons for the pause and how damaging the move could be for Main Street.
5 Main Street Iowa businesses win $75,000 in state grants
Five small businesses from Main Street Iowa districts were awarded a combined $75,000 in state grants Monday after pitching their expansion ideas in the final round of the 2026 Open 4 Business contest. Open 4 Business is a Main Street Iowa program housed within the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Resource Center. The live pitch…
Festival continues
Photos from the first day of the second Winchester Main Street Festival, which continues through Saturday.
Portside Lounge opens in Bridgeport with food, entertainment and community focus
Portside Lounge and Restaurant officially opened Wednesday at 3777 Main Street, offering American cuisine, craft drinks and live entertainment in a warm, welcoming setting.
Fire spreads to several businesses in Newhall
Flames damaged several businesses Monday morning in Newhall. The fire was reported at about 3 a.m. on the roof of a one-story commercial building in the 24200 block of Main Street. Flames spread to nearby businesses in the community north of Los Angeles. An auto body shop and restaurant are among the businesses in the area. Details about a cause…
Manasquan merchants say Main Street construction is hurting summer business
Road closures, detours and fewer parking spaces are frustrating Manasquan businesses and visitors during a critical stretch at the end of summer.
Dee Snider to induct wife into Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
Suzette Guilot-Snider created Twisted Sister’s iconic, trend-setting fashion Fashion designer Suzette Guilot-Snider will be inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) at their Stony Brook Village location at 97 Main Street on Saturday, November 14th at 8:30 pm. Her husband, Twisted Sister lead singer and LIMEHOF Inductee Dee Snider, will […]
Business Briefcase: Open-air downtown farm market continues
SHENANDOAH — Schuylkill County’s longest running seasonal outdoor downtown farm market continues its popular run 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays through November along the east side of the first block of South Main Street. Launched in t…
Rochester Mental Health Alliance Announces Upcoming 2026/2027 Community Meetings
The Rochester Mental Health Alliance announces upcoming 2026/2027 Community Meetings taking place at First United Methodist Church (Hurd Room), 34 S Main Street, on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For more information, email kmichaud@cornerstonevna.org.
Main Street Fort Smith touts ongoing downtown investments, activities
An update from Main Street Fort Smith indicates more than $4 million in announced and documented downtown property developments in the first half of 2026. The report also notes three...
Everywhere Millionaires: The Overlooked Main Street Businesses Behind America’s Economy
Explore “Everywhere Millionaires” and how Main Street business owners in construction, logistics, and food service may build enterprise value over time.
NHL strikes local broadcast deal with Charter for four teams
The NHL has negotiated direct-to-distributor deals for four of its teams that were left without local media rights agreements this upcoming season following the collapse of Main Street Sports Group, the now-defunct owner of the FanDuel Sports Networks. According to a report by Alex Silverman in Sports Business Journal, the NHL has negotiated multiyear linear…
City Celebrates Black Business Month on Birmingham’s Historic Black Main Street
birminghamal.gov For over a century, Birmingham’s Black entrepreneurs have been bringing dreams to life. When segregation severely limited Black Birmingham’s access to white-owned businesses …
Main Street Sidewalk Sale highlights downtown business owners, local vendors
The event shut down Main Street, filling the two-lane road with hundreds of locals looking to support small businesses.
Top JPMorganChase exec warns regulatory proposal could squeeze credit for millions of small businesses
JPMorganChase warns Basel III Endgame capital rules could hurt Main Street by raising borrowing costs and reducing small business lending access.
Popular Jersey Shore pizza spot closes after 32 years
The pizzeria was one of the first businesses to reopen on the town's Main Street after a devastating fire years before its 1994 founding.
Small business owners crave stability as inflation, trade war fallout stifle main street
Hung near the entrance of Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire are maps where customers are invited.
Culver-Stockton business class recognized for downtown Canton projects
CANTON — A Culver-Stockton College business class that pairs students with real Main Street projects instead of traditional lectures is drawing national attention as a model for experiential learning. Robin […]
Nature’s Cafe cuts ribbon on downtown expansion
CANTON — Dozens of local dignitaries, friends, and neighbors gathered Oct. 6 to mark a major milestone on Main Street as Nature’s Storehouse celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting
Fire destroys Forest City building, home to family business for over 100 years
A fire destroyed a piece of Forest City history Monday evening, gutting the three-story building on West Main Street.
Bones About Town takes over Main Street
Spooky season has made its way to Main Street — along with some new residents. Skeletons have taken over lampposts along the street, where they’ll live for all of October.
Buffalo business owner expands with new restaurant despite ongoing Main Street construction woes
A Buffalo business owner is expanding - opening a new Main Street restaurant despite a longterm multimillion dollar construction project on his doorstep.
The Purple Wagon advances to final round of statewide Open 4 Business competition
The Purple Wagon, a longtime Marion business that recently moved to Uptown Marion, has advanced to the final round of Main Street Iowa’s 2026 Open 4 Business competition and is one of five businesses from across Iowa competing for up to $25,000. The Purple Wagon, which sells custom-curated gifts and accessories for babies and toddlers, […]
Upcoming fall events at The ARC
Re-opened under the management of Great River Shakespeare Festival (GRSF) last fall, The ARC - Home of the Historic Masonic Theatre, located at 255 Main Street in downtown Winona, has
Local sports hosts slam convoluted, costly Minnesota Wild game-broadcast logistics
If you want to watch Minnesota Wild games this season, you’ll have a few hoops to jump through. That’s the story for many NHL and NBA franchises this season, as the ripple effects of the demise of Main Street Sports Group and FanDuel Sports Network continue to be felt. For the Wild, it works like…
Taylorville City Council Approves Three Business District Projects
The Taylorville City Council approved a trio of projects inside the Business Development District One. At the Taylorville City Council meeting on Monday night, three locations were approved which included 216 South Main Street, 800 West Springfield Road, and 204 West Market Street. Mayor Bruce […]
Big Pride Littleton returns for third installment
While spooky season has begun, and many parts of town are decked with ghosts and skeletons, Main Street will don rainbows on Oct. 10 — to celebrate the third Big
Ranking Members Markey, Velázquez, American Small Businesses Fight Back Against Trump SBA’s Discriminatory Anti-Immigrant Lending Policies
More than 120 small businesses and organizations pen letter of support for Ranking Member Markey’s resolution striking down Trump’s ban on awarding SBA loans to green card holders Letter (PDF) (Washington, September 15) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today garnered additional support from Main Street small businesses for his Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind the Trump administration’s discriminatory policy that bans green card holders from accessing essential Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. In a letter of support, more than 120 American small businesses and community organizations, led by Small Business Majority, applauded Ranking Member Markey’s efforts to overturn the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant lending ban and advocated for the passage of Ranking Member Markey’s CRA resolution in the Senate. House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-7) is leading the resolution in the House of Representatives. The Trump administration’s green card holder ban is the most recent escalation of SBA’s draconian citizenship restrictions that are killing jobs and putting the American Dream further out of reach for entrepreneurs. In Fiscal Year 2025, Trump’s SBA made an estimated $5.5 billion in loans to green card holders, which supported more than 80,000 jobs nationwide. “The Trump administration’s continued attacks on American small businesses and jobs are anti-American, they’re discriminatory, and they’re dragging down our communities and our economy. Thanks to partners like Small Business Majority, countless small businesses, and community organizations, we are fighting back and holding them accountable,” said Ranking Member Markey. “I will not stop fighting to rescind this hateful policy that attacks American entrepreneurs and prevents them from pursuing the American Dream.” “Small businesses and organizations across the country are sending a clear message that the Trump administration's discriminatory lending rules are bad for business,” said Ranking Member Velázquez. “I want to thank Small Business Majority for leading this effort and amplifying the voices of the entrepreneurs who create jobs and strengthen our local economies. As Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, I will keep pushing to stop these attacks on the American Dream and ensure that every eligible entrepreneur can access the capital they need to succeed.” In the letter, the small businesses write, “Congress must reaffirm its commitment to serving those who are rightfully and legally entitled to accessing key government guaranteed loan programs in pursuit of the American Dream. Restoring access to responsible, government-guaranteed loans for such a critical segment of our economy will allow thousands of small businesses to access the capital they require to grow and invest in American communities. If Congress does not act to protect access to the very ideals that our country was founded upon by rewarding those who adhere strictly to legal immigration pathways, local economies, communities and Main Street will pay the price.” Ranking Member Markey’s CRA resolution follows his introduction of the Investing in the American Dream Act alongside Ranking Member Velázquez earlier this year. The Investing in the American Dream Act would roll back the SBA’s draconian lending restrictions and restore previous SBA lending policies for immigrant entrepreneurs lawfully in the U.S., including green card holders, refugees, and asylees. More than 100 organizations have called for the passage of the legislation and more than 60 Massachusetts state legislators have raised concerns about the impact of the citizenship restrictions in their local communities. Ranking Member Markey is fighting for small business owners and immigrants that rely on SBA loans to start and run their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to their communities. In July, Ranking Member Markey and Ranking Member Velázquez introduced a bicameral resolution to rescind the Trump administration’s policy that bans green card holders from accessing essential SBA loans to start and grow their businesses and invest in Main Streets nationwide. In May, Ranking Member Markey highlighted the significant contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs in Massachusetts and across the country and condemned the Trump administration’s repeated attacks on immigrant communities at a Small Business Committee hearing. MIRA’s Elizabeth Sweet, who participated in Ranking Member Markey’s listening session earlier in May, provided testimony at the hearing. Also in May, Ranking Member Markey hosted a listening session at the Urban College of Boston to hear directly from several Massachusetts immigrant small business owners, lenders, and chambers of commerce how President Trump’s cruel and callous anti-immigrant policies are hurting Main Streets in the Bay State. Earlier in May, Ranking Member Markey hosted a press conference alongside Ranking Member Velázquez, Democratic lawmakers, and stakeholders to condemn the Trump administration’s harmful anti-immigrant lending policies and to introduce the Investing in the American Dream Act. In March, Ranking Member Markey released a comprehensive report detailing the harms to small business owners, workers, and consumers caused by the Trump administration’s ICE raids in communities across the country. In February, Ranking Member Markey introduced the Small Business ICE Disruption Fund Act, which would provide grants to small businesses that have been impacted by the Trump administration’s violent immigration enforcement actions on Main Streets across the United States. Earlier in February, Ranking Member Markey, Ranking Member Velázquez, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) sent a letter urging the SBA to rescind their lending rule change that bars legal permanent residents from receiving SBA loans. Previously, Ranking Members Markey and Velázquez released a statement condemning the actions of the SBA after it announced that small businesses with legal permanent residents will be barred from receiving SBA loans. In December 2025, Ranking Member Markey and all Democratic members of the Senate Small Business Committee sent a letter to the SBA reiterating concerns with the SBA’s citizenship requirements and highlighting a drop in SBA lending volume. In September 2025, Ranking Member Markey heard directly from SBA lenders about the issues with the citizenship verification requirements. In July 2025, Ranking Members Markey and Velázquez sent a letter to the SBA expressing serious concerns with the agency’s new, draconian citizenship verification requirements that require small businesses seeking SBA loans to be 100% owned by U.S. citizens, nationals, and legal permanent residents. ###
Baltimore Main Streets launches website with new business directory
A newly designed website provides more resources from the Baltimore Main Streets program to better support the communities it serves.
NFIB business survey: Main street optimism cools in August
The National Federation of Independent Business’ NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dipped in August to 98.7, just 1.1 points below July’s highest level since August 2025, but remaining above the 52-year average of 98.0. The Uncertainty Index fell 2 points to 89, remaining above the historical average of 68, according to the NFIB monthly report. […]
The Private Equity Playbook Most Small Business Owners Never Get Access To
What does the $650 billion wave of private equity capital moving into Main Street mean for owners who are unprepared for acquisition?
On Main: Concord's downtown business owners say Main Street is on the rise. They also point to challenges that remain.
When Elyssa Alfieri thinks about Downtown Concord, she thinks about an old T-shirt she once had. Not the one with a slogan about the city being comatose. To Alfieri, that one was never true. “Concord got cool when you weren’t looking,” read the shirt, designed by her friend, Katy Brown. “I really feel like that’s […]
Denison business flourishing, 7 years after downtown fire
Seven years after a destructive fire on Main Street in downtown Denison, Texas, the area has been revitalized with a new visitor center and a Phoenix sculpture created from the remains of the buildings that burned. This transformation honors the past while embracing the revitalization of the once-devastated block.
Lansdowne named Main Street Matters business district
Town taking part in state economic development program.
Goldman Sachs spends big to give small businesses an AI boost
The Wall Street giant is committing $500 million to expand its 10,000 Small Businesses program and launch an AI institute, partnering with Google, Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic to bring AI know-how to Main Street. NBC's Christine Romans spoke exclusively with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and with small businesses figuring out how to make AI work for them.
Wahalla officials give latest update fire destroyed seven downtown businesses
The journey may be long after flames destroyed seven businesses at 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. It happened on East Main Street in downtown Walhalla and the area has been closed all day.
‘Exploration and inspiration’: Gallery On & Off Main highlights arts, local business scene in Zionsville
In many ways, Oct. 24 was a typical fall evening on Main Street in Zionsville. Leaves tumbled from the trees to the brick street as families ate dinner outside and wandered into the shops along the main drag. There were, however, a few differences. For example, flautist Kevin McLaren and clar
Riverhead seeks developers for ‘destination attraction’ at former science center site
Riverhead Town is issuing a request for proposals for the redevelopment and operation of ‘a destination attraction’ at 111 East Main Street on the west side of the town square.
Northampton Main Street clash deepens political divides
Bike lane battles have long played out in Boston, but Northampton isn’t Boston — and it doesn’t want to be.
Arab business owner says sewage backups along North Main Street are a recurring problem
A sewage backup along North Main Street in Arab has been cleaned up, but a local business owner says it is not the first time she has dealt with the city’s sewer system overflowing.
See inside the colorful new business on Main Street in Sarasota
Take a look inside Bombshell Hair Company, the colorful new salon turning heads on Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
New Iberia’s Beneath the Balconies brings live performances, dancing to Main Street
Organizers say the event is about more than entertainment, but also an opportunity to bring visitors into New Iberia when they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Small business spotlight: The Vinyl Grind
Art comes in many forms: music, painting, sculpture, mosaics and more. The Vinyl Grind owner, Blake Delaney, expresses his passion in crafting lattes and Italian sodas like no one else. The Vinyl Grind is a part of the downtown district in Ames. A garden-level shop near the corner of Main Street and Kellogg Avenue, the...
Celebrate 40 years of Waynesville's Main Street milestones
For 40 years, merchants, property owners, volunteers, community leaders and residents have worked together to shape downtown Waynesville into the vibrant Main Street community it is today. Next month, the
Uncertainty grows on Main Street as labor quality, inflation top small business concerns in September: NFIB survey
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 0.8 points in September to 97.9, one-tenth of a point below the 52-year average of 98.0.
Top JPMorgan Chase exec warns regulatory proposal could squeeze credit for millions of small businesses
JPMorgan Chase warns Basel III Endgame capital rules could hurt Main Street by raising borrowing costs and reducing small business lending access.
Black Gold Festival street closure boosts Hazard businesses
Main Street in Hazard will be closed for most of the weekend for the 45th annual Black Gold Festival, but how does this impact local businesses?
Realtor Hosts Local Artist
ST. JOHNSBURY — Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to showcase the work of local artist Mardi McGregor at its St. Johnsbury office, located at 1184 Main Street.
Historic Stockyards City to Host Inaugural ‘Big Ball in Cowtown’ with Entertainment by Rep. Jay Steagall
Western swing, heritage, and community fellowship take center stage next week as Stockyards City Main Street hosts the first-ever "Big Ball in Cowtown" on Friday, November 6, at FOP Lodge 123 (1624 S Agnew Ave) in Oklahoma City. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and serves as a major fundraiser to preserve and celebrate the
Photos: Main Street Festival (10/10/2026)
The Winchester Main Street Festival, previously known as Mardi Gras, closed its run on Saturday evening. Here are some photos from the evening.
Parade unites community, cultures for 2-day event
ELOY — Parade participants get to feel like royalty for an hour as they travel down Main Street past those attending the Fiestas, welcoming them to the start of day
What keeps Main Street going? Northport businesses are finding new ways to connect
Walk down Main Street in Northport and it's easy to see that things are changing.
Riverhead OKs $1.95 M offer for Long Island Science Center site
Riverhead Town’s acquisition of 111 E. Main Street moved forward Tuesday as the Town Board authorized a $1.95 million offer to The Place for Learning, the property’s owner and operator of the science…
Performing Arts Center Pointing to 2027 Opening as Local Entertainment, Business, and Educational Partner
This reporter recently met with Front Royal Performing Arts Center (FRPAC) Board of Directors President Shae Parker and Vice-President Kate Gorecki to get an overview, including photos seen below, of the renovation status of the planned, multi-faceted Performing Arts Center on the 100 block of East Main Street at its intersection with Church Street. With
Affordable entertainment just steps off Moab's Main Street: Backyard Theater turns 13
Moab's Backyard Theater turns 13 with free Wednesday bluegrass and Rick Boretti's Saturday magic show, kept going by donations and a magician's rent.
Salt & Pepper named Tiburon Peninsula business of the year
Paulino Monterroso started as a dishwasher in a Tiburon cafe in 1992. Now his Salt & Pepper Restaurant on Main Street is the Tiburon chamber’s 2026 Business of the Year.
Small business owners crave stability as inflation, trade war fallout stifle main street
Thinking ahead to the results of midterm elections, two New Hampshire small business owners said they expect whoever wins to follow through on the responsibility of elected officials to make life better — or at the very least, to not make t…
Car crashes into unoccupied Vergennes business
A car crashed into and heavily damaged a hair salon on Main Street in Vergennes Saturday night.
Business Owners Have a Window. Most Aren't Ready to Use It. by Tully Ryan
I spend my working life on both sides of a business sale. As an M&A advisor based in Wilmington, I help lower middle market owners across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia sell what they've built. As the founder and CEO of IQExit, I work with the bankers, wealth advisors, CPAs and attorneys who sit beside those owners for years before a sale ever comes up. From both seats, I keep seeing the same thing. The market is ready for our owners. Too many of our owners aren't ready for the market. Start with our own backyard. Wilmington's metro area added more than 12,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, a 2.6% jump that ranked seventh in the country. It also posted the highest job growth rate of any metro in North Carolina. I see the same pattern in the growth markets I work in across the Southeast. New residents mean new customers and new workers. They also mean new buyers: people who moved here from corporate jobs and want to own something, private equity groups looking for add-ons in HVAC, electrical, landscaping and other trade services, and younger entrepreneurs who would rather buy a running business than start one from scratch. The ownership numbers are hard to ignore. About half of North Carolina's small businesses have an owner who is 55 or older, and roughly 85% of those owners have no succession plan, according to the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center. Nationally, more than half of Baby Boomer business owners have no documented transition plan. That isn't a crisis yet. It's a timing problem. A lot of businesses will change hands over the next decade, and the prepared ones will get the better buyers and the better terms. Buyers have money and they're using it. But an active market doesn't mean a fast one. The IBBA's latest Market Pulse survey found that Main Street deals took six to 10 months from engagement to close in the second quarter, and lower middle market deals took 11 to 12 months. That clock starts after the owner decides to sell. In my experience, the real preparation has to start years before. Two clocks, two playbooks When I sit down with an owner or their advisor, my first question isn't “What's it worth?” It's “When?” The answer puts the owner in one of two groups. If the owner wants out within 24 months, we're in execution mode. There's no time to rebuild the business. The work is cleaning up what a buyer will test: three years of financials that tie to the tax returns, an add-back schedule you can prove, customer and vendor contracts in writing, a lease that can be assigned, and a price the market will actually pay. The goal is certainty to close. If the exit is two to five years away, the owner has something worth more than time. They have choices. That window is where most value gets built, and most owners waste it by waiting. What kills deals In the lower middle market, deals rarely die over the headline price. They die in diligence, or they get retraded late in the process. I see the same causes again and again. The owner is the business. If every key customer relationship runs through the owner's cell phone, a buyer sees risk and a lender sees more of it. The books don't hold up. Buyers spot weak accounting fast. Statements that get revised mid-process, a revolving door in the bookkeeper's chair, revenue tracked on a side spreadsheet, and margins that slip while sales climb with no clear reason all make a buyer nervous. So does an owner who pushes back when asked for documents. And plenty of private owners run personal expenses through the company. Add-backs are normal. Add-backs you can't document turn into a lower offer. The real estate isn't sorted out. Many owners hold their building in a separate LLC. That's fine, but the lease terms or the property sale should be settled before a buyer shows up, not halfway through diligence. Revenue sits in too few hands. Picture a contractor with 40% of its work coming from one builder, or a service company running on handshake deals. Buyers will still look, but the terms shift toward more seller financing, an earnout, or less cash at closing. Owners and advisors: if your exit is three to five years out • Get a baseline now. Find out where the business really stands today: what a buyer would pay, who that buyer is likely to be, and which gaps would hurt you in diligence. You can't fix what you haven't measured, and the answer is often different from what the owner expects. • Make yourself less necessary. Spend the next few years building a manager or small team that can run daily operations and own customer relationships. Put handshake deals into written contracts. A business that runs without its owner is worth more and is far easier to finance. • Clean the books for three straight years. Buyers and lenders look back at least three years. Separate personal expenses, keep the financials tied to the tax returns, track every add-back as you go, and settle the real estate plan early. A word to CPAs CPAs often see a sale coming before anyone else, and you're usually the most trusted voice an owner has. Year-end meetings are the right time to start this conversation. Here's what I'd ask every CPA to do this season with business owner clients over 55: • Ask the timing question. “Do you see yourself owning this business in five years? If not, who takes it over?” Write down the answer and bring it up again at next year's meeting. • Run a proof of cash and review revenue recognition. Make sure the cash in the bank ties to the revenue on the books. Pay close attention to contractors with work in progress and to companies selling memberships or service plans. These issues are easy to fix with years of lead time and painful to fix a month before closing. • Pair the tax return with an exit readiness review. Invite clients to complete IQExit's Exit Readiness Intelligence (ERI) process as part of year-end planning. It gives you and the client a shared picture of readiness gaps and an indicative value range, and the results come back to you as the advisor. That turns a tax meeting into a planning relationship, and it puts you in position to bring in tax and M&A help early, when choices like purchase price allocation can still save the client real money. Changing the conversation For bankers, wealth advisors and attorneys, the hard part is raising the subject without seeming to nudge a client toward the door. I understand that. Nobody wants to tell a 60-year-old owner it's time to sell. So don't. Ask a different question: “If a buyer called tomorrow, what would they find?” That's a planning question, not a pitch, and it's useful whether the exit is two years out or 15. It's the question we built IQExit to help advisors answer. Whether you're in Wilmington, Raleigh, Charleston, Richmond or anywhere else, owners have a real opening right now. The buyers are out there and so is the capital. The owners who come out ahead will be the ones who start getting ready before they're ready to sell.
Chimney fire forces evacuation of downtown Bozeman business
A chimney fire forced the closure of Main Street in downtown Bozeman Thursday afternoon. There were no injuries reported.
Waupun business leaders united to earn WEDC Main Street status
Waupun has joined Wisconsin’s Main Street program, giving downtown leaders access to new revitalization resources.
Hortonville reopens Main Street, hopes to help businesses who lost traffic due from HWY 15
Hortonville reopened Main Street after three months of renovations, the first since 1958.