Monitoring grant opportunities is important for small business owners. Grants provide necessary funds for various business needs such as expansion, purchase of equipment, and marketing. Keeping up to date with available grants allows businesses to secure financing without payment obligations, which helps maintain cash flow and encourage growth.
Additionally, grants often provide access to resources, training, and networking opportunities, facilitating business development and sustainability. Regularly evaluating grants ensures that small businesses can take advantage of these valuable opportunities to improve their operations and achieve long-term success.
Thousands of Additional Grants Proposed to Help Small Businesses
Small business grant programs remain one of the best ways for local communities and government agencies to support the economy. There are many ways these programs can help small businesses, from improving downtown stores to creating new jobs. Below, check out a few of the programs currently supporting businesses and communities across the US
SBA Announces $3M in Small Business Cybersecurity Development Grants
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a new $3 million grant to support cybersecurity for small and emerging businesses. The initiative, under the Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Pilot Program, will award three grants to federal agencies, providing training and support to combat cyber threats.
Small Business News July 26, 2024
This week, collection begins with a warning from the IRS. Promoters and social media are spreading false information, encouraging taxpayers to file false claims for the “Self Employment Tax Credit”. The IRS is also appealing to taxpayers who have requested an extension to file their taxes over the summer rather than waiting for the October deadline. For other stories related to small businesses, see other collections.
IRS Warns Taxpayers About False “Self-Employment Tax” Claims
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a warning to taxpayers about misleading claims about the non-existent “Self Employment Tax Credit”. Recruiters and social media spread false information, encouraging taxpayers to file wrong claims.
IRS Urges Early Filing Free File Before October Deadline
The IRS is urging taxpayers who have requested an extension to file their taxes to use IRS Free File and other resources on IRS.gov this summer rather than waiting for the October deadline. By doing so, taxpayers can avoid the rush and potential stress as the deadline approaches.
Supreme Court Decisions Benefit Small Businesses in 2023-2024 Term
The 2023-2024 US Supreme Court term has brought important victories for small businesses, which impact the Main Street economy. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) filed amicus briefs in 12 cases, with five rulings in favor of small businesses, including the landmark ruling that overturned Chevron.
Former Tech CEO Pleads Guilty to $14M Payroll Tax Fraud
Andrew Park, a New Hampshire resident and former CEO of a technology startup, pleaded guilty to evading more than $14 million in taxes and failing to file personal tax returns. Park, 49, of Bedford, was responsible for the company’s financial affairs, including filing quarterly employment tax returns and managing federal, state, and local payments.
Deadline for SBA Working Capital Loans for New York Businesses: August 5, 2024
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is warning small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses, and many private nonprofit organizations that the deadline to apply for federal working capital loans is fast approaching. These loans are for those affected by the storm and heavy rains that started on July 2, 2023.
Amazon Prime Day 2024 Reaches Record Sales
Amazon announced that Prime Day 2024 was its most successful Prime Day event, breaking sales records with more items sold than any previous year. During this two-day event, leading members from around the world took advantage of deals in more than 35 categories, saving billions of dollars.
Treasury and IRS Revise RMD Rules for IRAs and Retirement Plans
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued updated guidance on required minimum distributions (RMDs) from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and other retirement plans. These final regulations, which are closely aligned with the proposed regulations starting in 2022, reflect the changes introduced by the SECURE Act and the SECURE 2.0 Act.
SBA Amends Crisis Declaration, Offers Texas Nonprofit Loans
The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has amended its disaster declaration in Texas, making low-interest federal loans available to nonprofit organizations in Bailey County. This follows President Biden’s declaration of a major disaster on May 23 for severe storms, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding from April 26 to June 5.
Small Businesses Showcase What’s Possible When They Embrace AI
Artificial intelligence is a source of both excitement and concern for many small businesses. One business in Michigan right now shows what’s possible, while also leaving many unanswered questions about the future. LaFleur Marketing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, started using several AI tools last year.
Almost All Small Business Owners Are Happy When They Are Fulfilled At Work
Many of the current headlines surrounding small business owners reflect doom and gloom. For example, many are pessimistic about their company’s outlook for the coming year, worried about inflation, or even closing due to rising rent and other costs. But even with all these difficulties, a recent survey suggests that almost all small business owners describe themselves as happy.
Entrepreneur Combines Baseball and Woodworking Passions
Baseball is a sport steeped in tradition and passion. But one entrepreneur in Baldwin City, Kansas is finding ways to put a unique new spin on the game. Jacob Austin Walters is a longtime baseball fan who grew up playing at the college level. One of his hobbies growing up was woodworking. So Walters found a way to combine those two interests — making bats.
Salesforce Introduces Einstein Service Agent for Effective Customer Service
Salesforce has launched Einstein Service Agent, an AI-driven chatbot designed to simplify customer service by solving problems quickly and accurately. This new tool improves customer service by providing an intuitive, conversational interface that leverages trusted business and customer data.
Semrush and Emojipedia Present Emoji Marketing Mini-Course for Marketers
Semrush Academy has partnered with Emojipedia to present the Emoji Marketing Mini-Course, aimed at helping marketers use emojis effectively. This partnership addresses the need of marketers who often find it challenging to choose the right emojis for their campaigns. Emojipedia, the leading digital brand under Zedge, Inc.
Michigan Teens Graduate High School Younger to Run Businesses
For years young people have been told to go to college and get a successful career. But a higher education is not necessary to run a successful business, as one young entrepreneur in Michigan proves. Addison Bringedahl is 17 years old from Pentwater, Michigan. His family owns several businesses, including a general store and a golf cart rental and repair business.
Miami Entrepreneur Finds Unique Way To Fight Fast Fashion Pollution
Fast fashion brands are a major contributor to global pollution. But one Florida business is finding a unique way to make the industry environmentally friendly. Patricia Ermecheo is the founder of Osomtex, a Miami-based fashion company that creates recycled fabric and yarn from potential fashion waste.
Be Uniic’s No-Nonsense Approach Is Reinventing Startup Marketing
In the competitive world of startup marketing, success stories are rare, and many agencies fail to deliver on their promises. Be Uniic is changing the game with a direct approach to growth and marketing for startups. Specializing in seed to series B startups, Be Uniic is focused on driving growth through smart, data-driven strategies.
GPS Manufacturer Pays $2.6M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Over PPP Loan
Hemisphere GNSS (USA) Inc., an Arizona-based GPS company, has agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act. The company allegedly provided false information to apply for and receive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness that it was not entitled to.
IRS Improves FATCA Registration with Multi-Factor Verification
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that it will improve the identity verification process for financial institutions that register under the Foreign Account Compliance Act (FATCA). Beginning July 14, users must log in or register with the IRS’s authentication service providers, Login.gov or ID.me, to access the FATCA Enrollment Program. FATCA requires more US
Elon Musk Announces California Exit Due to Controversial New Law
Billionaire Elon Musk recently announced that he will move the headquarters of his companies SpaceX and X to California after the passage of a controversial new bill. The bill, Elon Musk came out of California because of AB 1955, a bill that prevents schools from notifying parents about changes in a child’s gender identity. Musk wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “This is the last straw.
He’s Traveled to All 50 States- Here’s What He Learned About Business
What if you traveled across the country to each state for a week in one year and met people who were like you and people who were completely unlike you. This week on The Small Business Radio Show, I spoke with State Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, who did just that many years ago and appeared on “Sunday Morning” as a result.
Smartsheet Integrates Amazon Q to Improve Workforce Productivity with AI
Smartsheet has integrated Amazon Q, an AI productivity assistant, into its operations to improve productivity and simplify information management. This new AI-powered tool, which is part of a deep relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS), looks to provide quick answers to employees’ questions, helping them work more efficiently.
Arkansas Nonprofits: SBA Disaster Loan Deadlines
The deadline is fast approaching for Arkansas nonprofits to apply for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate director of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA, reminded organizations of the August 14, 2024 deadline.
Image: Depositphotos
