AI for SMBs: Maui small business leaders got hands-on AI training to turn hype into quick, working solutions they could deploy the same day. Payments & access: Mastercard teamed with TeamApt to let more merchants operate on Mastercard’s global network, aiming to pull African SMEs into the formal digital economy. Housing finance for workers: Vermont workforce housing advocates say the missing piece isn’t just zoning—it’s capital; the state expanded its Invest in Vermont low-interest financing to unlock more projects. Local food infrastructure: Virginia awarded 14 AFID infrastructure grants totaling $507K to help small and mid-size farms build processing, kitchens, packing, and marketing facilities. Policy watch: The House Small Business Committee set September hearings covering resource needs, crypto’s impact on Main Street, SBA oversight, and cybersecurity for small contractors. Local business support: Surry County’s Pitch It & Grow It summit grants offer funding plus education for startups and growing firms. Tech infrastructure boom: OpenAI signed a 20-year lease for an 8GW Ohio AI campus backed by Nvidia, with capacity starting in 2028. Reputation risk: JR Wealth Management launched a service to help businesses respond to damaging online narratives.