Small-Business Lending: Greater Milwaukee Foundation opened applications for its 2026 ThriveOn Small Business Loans, targeting 10 Milwaukee-area commercial operators with up to $50,000 at a 3% fixed rate and required coaching. Local Business Support Grants: Wisconsin’s WEDC is awarding $250,000 to Appleton’s Long Cheng MarketPlace for a $1.4M renovation that expands affordable space for immigrant and underserved entrepreneurs. SME Hiring & Skills: A National Federation of Independent Business survey finds many small firms can’t find qualified applicants, with immigration limits and skill mismatches cited as key barriers. Paid Leave Watch: Minnesota’s paid leave program saw a big early application surge that has since leveled off, with many rejections tied to documentation. Payments & Cost Pressure: SeoSamba launched LocalEko, aiming to automate done-for-you local marketing for small businesses; in Bermuda, Working On It offers merchant-friendly payment access to reduce card-fee drag. Business Risk & Compliance: California’s ADA “fix” bill died in the Assembly after Senate support, underscoring how regulatory timelines can swing for small operators. Community Commerce: Downtown Winona’s Crazy Days returns with discounts to pull shoppers back into local stores. Entrepreneur Jobs Plan: Bangladesh’s Karmasangsthan Bank unveiled a five-year plan to create 900,000 youth jobs via low-interest loans and collateral-free support for small traders. Small-Business Security: A Glasgow outlet optical store was broken into, leaving owners with major stock and cash losses and a warning to locals about suspicious sellers.