Local Awards & Growth: Kansas’ Bright Minds Academy (Hays) just won an SBA National Small Business Week award, spotlighting how rural childcare operators can scale with SBA-backed help. Community Business Spotlight: In California, Village Pet & Feed in Santee earned SBA California Small Business Person of the Year recognition at city hall—proof that neighborhood services can turn into real momentum. Restaurant Economy Boost: Cullman, Alabama is gearing up for Cullman Restaurant Week (Sept. 10–21), with a required “Culinary in Cullman” kickoff to drive traffic for local eateries. Marketing Power in Real Life: Food TikTok star Keith Lee is taking his “show up for small businesses” approach offline with FamiLee Day in New Orleans (May 16), betting that hype can become foot traffic. Policy Pressure on Small Firms: Oklahoma just signed a data-center bill to stop ratepayers from absorbing infrastructure costs—aimed at protecting small-business electricity bills as AI demand grows. Disaster Relief Watch: Waterford, Ireland approved a €750,000 support scheme for Tycor Business Centre fire-hit businesses, with up to €30,000 available and early cash to keep doors open.