Sarah Lewis

Small business owners are facing a crucial moment as the national average gas price falls to $4.27 per gallon, a drop of 6 cents from last week. However, soaring crude oil prices, now nearing $100 per barrel, continue to impact the market. This situation marks a pivotal time for businesses that rely on transportation and fuel, with potential implications for operational costs and customer pricing.

Small business owners, mark your calendars: the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has officially opened nominations for the 2027 National Small Business Week Awards. This annual event, celebrated from May 2–8, 2027, aims to honor exceptional entrepreneurs and small business leaders across the nation. With nominations due by 3:00 PM ET on December 7, 2026, now is the time for owners to recognize their achievements and those of their peers.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has taken a significant step to ensure integrity within its 8(a) Business Development Program by referring 689 firms recently removed from the program to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for an extensive review of their past government contracts. This decisive action aims to root out potential fraud and misrepresentation in a program designed to support economically disadvantaged small businesses, and it carries considerable implications for small business owners.

As the clocks turn back this weekend, millions of night shift workers in the UK face an extra hour on the job. Simultaneously, a growing cohort of these dedicated employees feels their contributions are often overlooked. Uber aims to change that narrative with its latest initiative, the “Night Shift Tab,” which not only acknowledges the sacrifices of night workers but also provides them with practical support—an enticing opportunity for small businesses to engage with this essential workforce.

The U.S. Army recently showcased the potential of Amazon Leo, the tech giant’s low Earth orbit satellite network, during a live demonstration at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. This event highlights a significant partnership between Amazon and the Army, focusing on next-generation connectivity solutions that could ultimately benefit small businesses operating in remote or underserved areas.

This year, U.S. refineries have reached a remarkable milestone, achieving an average utilization rate of over 95% from May to September — the highest figure for those months since 1998. This spike in activity largely stems from tight global supplies, which have significantly increased petroleum product margins. For small business owners, especially those operating within energy-intensive sectors or dependent on fuel supplies, this surge in refinery output presents both opportunities and challenges as the market landscape evolves.

This year, U.S. refineries have reached a remarkable milestone, achieving an average utilization rate of over 95% from May to September — the highest figure for those months since 1998.

In an era where time is often a luxury small business owners cannot afford, Intuit Inc. has recently launched its Intuit Intelligence platform, now available internationally. The platform is designed to automate financial tasks, providing small businesses and accountants with insights that can streamline operations and enhance decision-making.

The billionaire's links to the island includes the site of a seafront restaurant destroyed by fire.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making bold moves to empower veteran entrepreneurs, recently announcing a $3.75 million grant to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Veterans Institute for Procurement (MCCCF-VIP). This funding will launch the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (VFPETP), aimed at helping veteran-owned small businesses build the skills needed to secure federal contracts.