Minimum Wage Update: Florida’s minimum wage is set to rise to $15 an hour after Sept. 30, with tipped workers moving to $11.98, and future annual increases tied to inflation—so small businesses should double-check payroll rates, tip credits, posters, and any pay periods that straddle the change date. Restaurant Stress Signals: A Village Inn franchisee in Oldsmar filed for Chapter 11 under Subchapter V, listing about $554,000 in liabilities, citing lingering hurricane effects, weaker sales, and higher operating costs—another reminder that cost pressure is still hitting local operators. Broadband Expansion: Spectrum expanded internet service to more than 10,000 homes and businesses in Polk County as part of a rural fiber push, with a $50,000 donation to Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay for digital education and career readiness. Legal/Compliance for SMBs: A GovCon FAQ explains how foreign-owned firms can still qualify as “small businesses” under SBA rules if they meet SBA size and business-eligibility requirements. Business Ops & Hiring: MGMA coverage highlights rising staff turnover in medical practices and points to compensation strategies like career ladders, skills-based pay, retention bonuses, and profit sharing aimed at keeping key staff. Tech for Growth: A B2B e-commerce piece warns that growing online shops can outgrow spreadsheets and need consistent order/product rules before building analytics dashboards. Local Business Community: UF’s new president shared a “recipe for excellence” focused on strengthening ties with the Gainesville community, signaling more collaboration opportunities for local partners.