Main Street

The three million businesses that line the main streets and side streets of the local economies. These businesses are diverse and include retail shops, small grocery stores, personal services such as hair and nail salons and spas, hardware stores, local contractors, restaurants, trade services such as plumbers and electricians, and small manufacturers and wholesalers. The health of these businesses is directly related to the health of the local economies in which they operate, which is why their success is vital to the communities they serve.

Smallest Firms Power Main Street’s Resilience
Smallest Firms Power Main Street’s Resilience
October 02, 2025  |  SMBs

Main Street depends on the vitality of its smallest businesses. With the right mix of growth opportunities and the tools to seize them, micro-businesses can...

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Tariffs Drive Wedge Between Small Business and Big Tech
Tariffs Drive Wedge Between Small Business and Big Tech
August 03, 2025  |  SMBs

It was a strong quarter for America’s biggest companies — less so for many under-the-radar firms. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock...

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Economic Headwinds Hammer Main Street Firms Across the Northeast
Economic Headwinds Hammer Main Street Firms Across the Northeast
July 16, 2025  |  Economy

Main Street businesses, vital to the U.S. economy, have seen their growth rate significantly fade since late 2024 through Q1 2025, lagging behind the overall...

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Merchants Blame Taxes as Small Business Optimism Dips
Merchants Blame Taxes as Small Business Optimism Dips
July 08, 2025  |  Economy

The most taxing problem facing America’s small businesses? Taxes. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access...

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ERPs Find New Home on Main Street as SMBs Tackle Uncertainty
ERPs Find New Home on Main Street as SMBs Tackle Uncertainty
June 03, 2025  |  B2B Payments

For much of business history, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems were the exclusive domain of Fortune 500 giants with deep pockets. The reason? These crucial...

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‘Net Never’ Terms: Delayed Payments Threaten B2B Supply Chain Stability
‘Net Never’ Terms: Delayed Payments Threaten B2B Supply Chain Stability
May 12, 2025  |  B2B Payments

What’s worse than shoppers skipping out on a tab? The businesses themselves stiffing the very suppliers keeping them afloat. Get the Full Story Complete the...

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Rural Small Businesses Report Double the Sales Decline of Urban Counterparts
Rural Small Businesses Report Double the Sales Decline of Urban Counterparts
March 25, 2025  |  SMBs

Urban small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of city economies. It’s been a volatile few years for them, with pandemic disruptions, inflationary pressures...

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Tariff Uncertainty Sparks Unease Among US Businesses
Tariff Uncertainty Sparks Unease Among US Businesses
March 11, 2025  |  Economy

The White House’s tariff efforts continue to sow worry on both Wall Street and Main Street. Get the Full Story Complete the form to unlock...

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Why SMB Optimism Will Likely Carry Over Into 2025
Why SMB Optimism Will Likely Carry Over Into 2025
January 23, 2025  |  SMBs

The year 2024 began as a question mark for the smaller firms that are central to Main Street communities and that power the U.S. economy...

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