Local Business Awards: Brockton’s Mother’s Daughter Juice + Wellness Bar and West Bridgewater’s Vineyard Farm won top honors at the Metro South Chamber’s Small Business and Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, spotlighting farm-to-table growth and community-minded entrepreneurship. Small-Business Policy Pressure: UK mayor Andy Burnham says Labour “got it wrong” for pubs and small firms, pledging a further 20% cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues and removing thousands of smaller businesses from the rates system. Regulatory Shock to Service Shops: Baton Rouge-area auto service businesses are scrambling after Louisiana moves to axe vehicle safety inspection stickers, replacing them with a QR code at renewal—raising costs and uncertainty for shops that rely on inspections. Courts and Local Fees: A Pennsylvania Supreme Court stormwater ruling leaves municipalities and nonprofits with “unknowns” over how stormwater charges work and whether they function like taxes. AI for Local Marketing: A Harrisburg agency warns Central PA SMBs that AI-driven search is shifting the goal from ranking to being the business AI recommends—pushing clearer website and online profile info. Funding & Grants: Fifth Third published a step-by-step guide to applying for small business grants, emphasizing competitive, purpose-driven programs that don’t need repayment. Community Events That Drive Spend: Martins Ferry’s Project Forward Strawberry Festival returns with live music, craft vendors, food trucks, and family activities—an SMB-friendly local draw. Manufacturing Recognition: Ohio’s Humtown Products CEO Mark Lamoncha received state and national small business honors for scaling 3D-printed manufacturing and job creation.