Economic Development

ABA: Foundation Announces 2026 Community Commitment Award Winners

The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced the recipients of its 2026 ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards. The prestigious annual awards recognize banks for extraordinary service to their local communities in seven specific categories ranging from affordable housing to serving military families. The winners will be recognized at ABA’s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City…

SBA: Agency & Department of War Sign Landmark Agreement to Supercharge Strategic Investment in America’s Defense Industrial Base

Initiative Operationalizes Smaller War Plants Commission to Expand Military Capabilities Through Small Business Suppliers Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of War (DoW) announced a new memorandum of agreement building on the Smaller War Plants Commission (SWPC) to expand access to strategic capital for small businesses in the defense industrial base. By aligning DoW’s strategic-investment capabilities…

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $40 Million to Support Economic Development Projects in Seven States

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced $40 million in awards for projects in seven states. The awards were provided through EDA’s FY 2025 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs, which leverage existing regional assets and fund the implementation of economic development strategies to support distressed communities. The EDA awards…

EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $10.4 Million in Disaster Supplemental Funding to Support Economic Development Projects in Three States

 Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced $10.4 million in Disaster Supplemental funding awards to three states, which were impacted by storms and natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The EDA awards announced today are: “The FY 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program ensures that communities devastated by natural disasters are not just supported…

SBA: Over $7 Million Awarded to Create Nine New Regional Innovation Clusters

New RICs Will Counsel Small Business Suppliers Across Critical Supply Chains, Expanding Domestic Industrial Capacity Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced more than $7 million in awards to establish nine new Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs) supporting small businesses and startups in biotechnology, defense, advanced manufacturing, and transportation. The clusters will serve as regional hubs connecting…

SBA: $3.75 Million Awarded to Train Veteran-Owned Small Businesses to Compete for Federal Contracts

New Training Program Offers Veterans an Onramp into Federal Procurement Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it has awarded a $3.75 million grant over five years to the Maryland-based Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Veterans Institute for Procurement (MCCCF-VIP). The organization will operate the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (VFPETP), a nationwide initiative…

SBA: $5.3 Million Awarded to Expand National Women’s Business Center Network

New Centers Will Support Women Entrepreneurs in Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced five grant recipients under its new Women’s Business Center (WBC) Modernization Initiative, awarding a combined $5.3 million to expand statewide support networks for women entrepreneurs in Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. The Initiative…

SBA: Nominations Open for National Small Business Week 2027

Trump Administration Invites America’s Innovators, Job Creators, and Builders to Apply for State and National Recognition Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened nominations for its 2027 National Small Business Week Awards, which recognize exceptional small business owners from every state. National Small Business Week will take place May 2–8, 2027. Nominations must be submitted by 3:00…

SBA: Agency Celebrates 13th Annual National Veterans Small Business Week

Veteran Entrepreneurs to be Recognized Nov. 9-13, 2026 Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it will celebrate the 13th year of National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) from Nov. 9–13, 2026. The week honors America’s 1.6 million veteran-owned small businesses and the commitment to excellence, quality, and strength that defines veteran entrepreneurship. The theme…

SBA: $4.9M in Grant Awards Announced to Expand VBOC Network

New VBOCs will Support Entrepreneurs in Alaska, Florida and Louisiana Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced nearly $4.9 million in grant awards over five years to establish new Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) in Alaska, Florida and Louisiana, along with supporting satellite offices. The new centers will expand access to entrepreneurship training, counseling, and technical assistance at no…