Government Contracts Push: Labour says it will give small businesses a “fair go” for public tenders by setting a 15% target for small-business contracts, breaking up big deals, and cutting paperwork by using a single “New Zealand Business Number” so firms don’t repeat the same info across agencies. Local Business Boosts: Fair Lawn’s 5th annual Small Business Scavenger Hunt returns with 50+ shops and prizes, while WestFest 2026 in Toronto spotlights youth arts and local vendors through donation-based admission. Cost Shifts for Big Users: Virginia regulators are drafting a policy that pushes certain grid upgrade costs onto data centers instead of households and small businesses, as Dominion expands transmission projects. Tax Relief Moment: South Carolina’s tax-free weekend is already driving extra foot traffic for local retailers, not just big chains. MSME Payments Reform (India): India’s MSMED Amendment Act, 2026 aims to strengthen legal certainty and improve timely payments for MSMEs. War’s Retail Fallout (Russia): Ukraine drone strikes on Wildberries warehouses are disrupting deliveries and hitting franchise operators and small sellers tied to the platform. Small-Business Risk (AI music): Cafes using AI-generated music to cut costs raise questions about what it means for musicians and licensing.