In the News: Grants up to $10,000 Available for Construction and Renovation


Small businesses depend on grants for building and remodeling projects that improve their facilities, grow their operations, and make their properties look better from the street. These funds help with modernization projects, making sure that rules are followed and creating appealing spaces for customers, which eventually leads to more foot traffic and sales.

Grants help businesses grow and change by making capital improvements less expensive. This keeps businesses competitive and relevant in their markets. This help helps the economy grow and brings life back to communities.

Small business grants can be especially useful for entrepreneurs who are navigating major challenges. Issues like construction projects, severe weather, and vandalism can all cause business closures or significant losses. Man communities are offering grants to help with these challenges.

Small Business News April 12, 2024

In the news roundup this week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill with harsher penalties for retail theft, porch piracy, and looting encouraged through social media. With retail theft increasing, more states are passing these types of laws. For that and more, read the rest of the news roundup.

Florida Law Ups Penalties for Retail Theft, Porch Pirates

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has recently signed HB 549 with the goal of combating retail theft, porch piracy, and looting encouraged through social media. The bill increases penalties for these crimes to reduce theft and maintain the safety of Florida residents and businesses.

Make Royalty-Free Music With Suno AI for Your Small Business in Minutes

Licensing music can be expensive, and using copyrighted music without permission can land you in hot water. That’s where Suno AI comes in. Finding the right music is a particularly challenging aspect of content creation. And creating high-quality content that stands out from the crowd can be challenging, especially for small businesses with limited resources.

Transgender Federal Workers Want More Training and Communication Around Gender Inclusion

Transgender federal employees have expressed their frustration around a lack of training and communication in relation to transgender protections and processes.

Meta Introduces “Made with AI” Labels for Clearer Online Content

Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is rolling out new labels called “Made with AI” to help users identify content that’s been created or changed by artificial intelligence (AI).

NYC Chatbot Advises Restaurant Owners to Serve Cheese Bitten by Rats

New York City leaders and small business owners are learning about the pitfalls of relying on AI the hard way.  According to a report from the Daily Wire, the city introduced an AI-powered chatbot in October 2023 as a “one-stop shop” for assisting business owners with government operations.

California’s $20 Minimum Wage Set to Increase Fast Food Prices

Most fast-food workers in California will now be paid at least $20 an hour due to a new law that went into effect on April 1. It is aimed at giving greater financial security to employees in the historically low paid fast food industry. However, warnings have been made that the move will increase the cost of fast food in a state that is already known for high living costs.

Former Oklahoma Steel Company President Sentenced for Tax Evasion

Phillip Barry Albert, the former President of Pelco Structural LLC, an established steel pole manufacturer based in Claremore, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison following his conviction for evading more than $1 million in income taxes.

Image: Depositphotos


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Joshua Sophy Joshua Sophy is the Editor for Small Business Trends and has been a member of the team for 16 years. A professional journalist with 20 years of experience in traditional media and online media, he attended Waynesburg University and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. He has held roles of reporter, editor and publisher, having founded his own local newspaper, the Pottsville Free Press.