Grants & Local Growth: Austin’s Forever Austin Fund is handing out $2.5M in 2026 grants to 130 Central Texas nonprofits, with $1.6M aimed at economic mobility including helping people stay housed, access career pathways, and grow small businesses. Consumer Finance Crackdown: California AG Rob Bonta warned federal regulators about predatory nonbank lenders using “sham” bank partnerships to dodge state consumer protections, urging action at the OCC, Fed, and FDIC. SMB-Friendly AI (and the limits): An Alaska summit on Sept. 28 is pushing practical AI training for business and community leaders, while separate coverage argues AI is most valuable to small firms as an “extra pair of hands” for admin work. Data Centers vs. Costs: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rolled out a pledge asking data center companies to protect grid reliability, avoid higher costs for residents and small businesses, and invest locally. Payments Go Digital: Bangladesh expanded Bangla QR for cash-lite payments, but small businesses are raising concerns about merchant fees. Entrepreneur Support Pipeline: Indiana’s Regional Entrepreneurial Pipeline (REaP) launches Aug. 13 with weekly hands-on help for early-stage entrepreneurs across East Central Indiana. Local Business Spotlight: A Saxonburg independent filmmaker is recruiting local small businesses to help fund and support an upcoming feature film. UK Pub Tenants Under Scrutiny: Stonegate faces a potential £16M fine threat after a statutory investigation into how it treated tied pub tenants. Community Resilience: Durban’s CBD partnership reported a 28% reduction in serious visible crime after 14 months of 24/7 patrolling and cleanup.