#small-business-support

#small-business-support

About 10 Apple employees spent some of their valuable hours over recent months on a project that might seem unusual for the tech giant: customizing an open source AI tool for ImageTek, a small manufacturer in Springfield, Vermont whose lines of business include printing millions of labels for food packaging. The Apple engineers developed a computer vision system to automatically identify color errors, and on one run it picked up bacon labels with a far-too-pinkish beige before they got shipped, according to Marji Smith, ImageTek's president.

Downtown San Jose is offering a great incentive for shoppers this December with the Shop Small Downtown program from the San Jose Downtown Association. When you spend at least $150 at participating local businesses, you qualify for a $50 gift card in return. This promotion runs through December 24 and focuses on small shops, restaurants, and theaters that define the area's character. The gift card works at over 60 locations across Downtown, making it easy to keep the spending local and discover more spots.

The City of San Jose has launched its Holiday San Jose campaign to highlight the vibrant local retail scene and encourage everyone to support small businesses throughout the holiday period. This initiative features a comprehensive guide to 12 distinctive shopping districts across the city, showcasing more than 300 unique spots for shopping, dining, and gathering with loved ones. From family-owned boutiques to cozy eateries, these areas offer one-of-a-kind experiences that capture the essence of San Jose's diverse communities.

Every local purchase made during the holiday season is a vote for a vibrant New York where mom-and-pop stores and local entrepreneurship can thrive. When you walk into a neighborhood shop or place a holiday order with a local vendor, you're choosing to invest in our communities through businesses that make our city unique and contribute to our collective economic future.

Stone Street will host its first Halloween Bar Fest. Photo via Getty Images While children trick-or-treat on Oct. 31, adults can spend their Halloweekend participating in boozy activities and letting loose their inner child. Stone Street will host its first Halloween Bar Fest on Nov. 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. Presented by Mad City Bar Fest, several bars will come together to serve the 21-and-older community in an outdoor event featuring games, photo booths and a variety of drink specials.

San Jose has issued 933 business tax certificates to restaurants, street food vendors, cafes and bakeries since 2022, thanks in part to the city's improved permitting process. District 3 - downtown - has seen the greatest number of openings, with 231 new food establishments. District 7 has also seen major growth, with 146 businesses, followed by District 5 with 112 businesses and District 6 with 105 businesses. The majority of openings have happened in neighborhoods including Little Saigon, Calle Willow, Alum Rock, Willow Glen, Japantown,

Student barber points out SMEs make up 95pc of all companies here

EDF has launched a new partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) aimed at helping more than 150,000 small firms reduce their energy costs, cut carbon and gain greater control over their consumption. Through the collaboration, FSB members will gain access to a dedicated online hub featuring free resources such as guides, blogs, videos, webinars and focus groups. The hub is designed to provide practical advice on how to manage energy more efficiently, while also giving members the chance to feed back directly on the kind of support they need in future.

Retirement was never really in my vocabulary - not in the way people expect. I turned 60 this year. I never thought I'd be launching a tech company at this stage in my life, but here I am, building a startup I love, working 60 to 70 hours a week, and feeling more fulfilled than ever. I've always been an entrepreneur

Local leaders have unveiled a revitalization initiative aimed at supporting small businesses, reducing vacant storefronts, and enhancing cultural spaces in East San Jose.

Fat Joe's collaboration with Sonrisa Rum reflects his commitment to helping Puerto Rican small business owners and celebrating his Bronx roots through the spirit of the brand.

Royal Mail has launched a £1 million apprenticeship levy gifting fund to help small UK businesses address skills shortages and foster growth opportunities.

Antioch received a $20,000 grant to create jobs for low-income residents through collaborative problem-solving among nonprofits and small businesses.

Think of it as a Lego set for cities-modular pieces that small businesses can actually afford.