Local Business Support: Vermont’s BDCC is bringing back its free BizConnect networking series with a “Headshots & Handshakes” event co-hosted by the Better Business Bureau and local small-business groups, aiming to help owners refresh branding and build connections. Small-Business Survival: A Sarasota specialty shop, The Artisan Cheese Company, closed after years of rising costs, tariffs, distribution headaches, and staffing pressure—showing how multiple shocks can break even beloved local brands. Entrepreneurship Events: Knoxville’s 865 Fest returns Sept. 29 with pitch competitions, panels on commercialization and talent, and talks on scaling businesses. Funding & Grants: Iowa’s Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools program will send about $1,600 to 125 schools (matched by schools) to buy Iowa-grown food, boosting local farmers and food businesses. Policy & Regulation: California signed “Leno’s Law,” expanding smog-check exemptions for qualifying vintage collector cars, and a U.S. House committee advanced a broadband strategy bill that could streamline federal broadband deployment. Business Risk & Costs: A logistics analysis says UPS and FedEx peak-season demand surcharges are flat per package and don’t change by shipping distance, so “closer warehouses” may not cut those fees. Access & Equity: North Carolina business leaders are pushing back after the state eliminated its HUB office, arguing it will widen gaps for minority- and women-owned construction firms. Disaster Relief: Wisconsin Gov. Evers asked the SBA for a rapid disaster declaration after July storms, which could unlock low-interest disaster loans for affected businesses.