Disaster Relief for SMBs: New Richland’s flash flooding response is getting a dedicated New Richland Disaster Response Fund, set up by local foundations to support community and business recovery and route donations through a single hub. Regional Economic Support: North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments marked 60 years of work, highlighting planning and grant results that pulled nearly $14M into roads, water, sewer, parks, and community facilities from 2021-2025. Flood Recovery + Federal Help: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Tina Smith are visiting New Richland to assess damage and push for FEMA and SBA involvement as officials estimate up to 10–12 total-loss homes. Local Safety That Hits Sales: Mosholu Avenue merchants say poor lighting and outages are cutting evening foot traffic, with business owners asking for clearer safety resources and faster fixes. SMB Growth Tools: Signage.com launched a free Storefront Readiness Check to help small shops spot visibility problems before holiday shopping. SME Training Push: Malaysia’s Perkasa Halal initiative aims to train 6,000 entrepreneurs by 2029, combining digital skills and mentoring to support formalization. Energy Costs Pressure: Eleuthera businesses and a hospital report major disruption from prolonged power outages, with higher generator costs and uncertainty about operating safely. Tax Relief Debate: LIAM is urging Malaysia’s Budget 2027 to exempt group employee insurance schemes from service tax to help employers—especially SMEs—offer coverage. Community Banking Moment: Manasquan Bank’s 13th Community Day and Days of Giving raised $10,000 for local nonprofits, reinforcing how banks can directly support small community needs.