Economics News on Business Daily

Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) has faced a recent stock downgrade by analysts as the company deals with ongoing lawsuits, leadership changes, and activist pressure, which have impacted its near-term outlook.

On Wednesday, September 25, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Biden’s Cabinet, traveled to Nebraska to mark Hispanic Heritage Month and meet with Tribal leaders. The discussions focused on the SBA’s efforts to support entrepreneurship and economic development in Native American communities.

On Tuesday, Sept. 25, SBA Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed visited Jackson, Detroit, and surrounding areas to meet with local entrepreneurs and highlight the impact of investments by the Biden-Harris Administration in infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing. Since President Biden took office, more than 19.4 million founders have filed to start a business – including more than 528,000 in Michigan alone.

Amazon announced a nationwide pay increase, raising the average total compensation to $29 for its front-line team members, including the over 38,000 full and part time workers in Ohio.

Amazon has announced a pay increase for its front-line team members, raising the average total compensation for workers to $29, and investing an additional $2.2 billion nationwide.

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced $20 million in State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants awarded to 43 state and territory international trade agencies. These grants aim to support small businesses in increasing their export volume and value. States can start soliciting applications from small businesses immediately, with funding available starting September 30.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the winners of the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) Stage Two. Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the SBA and a member of President Biden’s Cabinet, revealed that 44 accelerator partnerships have received awards ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 each. These funds aim to support small businesses and startups in STEM and research and development across key areas such as national and economic security, domestic manufacturing and production, sustainability, and biotechnology.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will cohost two events this fall in Washington, D.C., and Florida as part of the 2024 National ChallengeHER road tour. The initiative, organized alongside Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and American Express (AMEX), aims to bring more women-owned firms into the federal government’s supply chain.

Shenetra Moses, the General Manager of Amazon's Romeoville Center, has found her calling in developing diverse leadership pipelines within the tech giant. Moses is now focused on creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM at Amazon.

This month, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, is encouraging small businesses to take proactive steps to safeguard their operations from potential natural disasters. This year’s theme is “Prepare Now, Recover Faster.”

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Biden’s Cabinet, announced today that three new recipients will receive $3 million in funding through the SBA’s Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program. The grantees for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 are Dakota State University, Eastern Washington University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. These institutions will assist small businesses in enhancing their cybersecurity infrastructure and mitigating cyber threats.

Ava Dejoie Cates selected as regional administrator for SBA Region 6

Caitlin Tully, spokesperson for Amazon, said the organization is excited about the recent two grand re-openings of Amazon Fresh grocery locations in the Naperville area.

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan convened to discuss strategies for enhancing small business competitiveness. The discussion, held in Washington, aimed at ensuring equitable market opportunities for small businesses under the Biden-Harris Administration.

Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Biden’s Cabinet, issued a statement celebrating the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

On September 9, Brian Niccol officially assumed the role of CEO at Starbucks. His appointment marks a pivotal shift in leadership as Starbucks grapples with significant brand identity issues and a downturn in sales.

Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Biden’s Cabinet, convened a hearing with federal leaders and small business owners. The focus was on enhancing small businesses' ability to compete for federal contracts, particularly regarding the impact of joint ventures (JV) on small business participation in Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOCs).

The 2024 fall Health Connect Partners (HCP) Hospital Supply Chain conference will be sponsored by Synergy Surgical, who recently announced the sponsorship on their site.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that the Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been awarded a $350,000 prize to develop and implement a national Cyber Certification Program for SBA resource partners. The initiative will leverage industry best practices to offer cybersecurity tools and training to small businesses through a hybrid course curriculum that includes webinars, workshops, knowledge-based assessments, certification requirements, and ongoing continuing education tracking key performance indicators over two years.

Administrator Guzman Opens Application Window for Lenders Filling Gaps in Credit Markets