SBA Supply-Chain Grant Competition Closed After $9 Million Call
The SBA sought proposals for up to 20 SCALE grants helping organizations support small businesses in six strategic supply chains. The deadline was Aug. 7.
Manufacturing
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U.S. Business Sales Fell in June While Inventories Held Steady
June business sales and factory shipments fell 1.1% from May, while inventories were virtually unchanged and the inventory-to-sales ratio stayed below its year-earlier level.
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China’s Growth Slowed in Q2 as Trade and Tech Offset Domestic Weakness
China’s economy grew 4.7% in the first half of 2026, but a 4.3% second-quarter pace, weak property investment and soft retail demand reveal an uneven recovery.
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What the new U.S. tariffs on 60 economies mean for importers
Section 301 duties took effect July 24 on products from 60 economies, making classification, origin, entry timing and exclusions central to supply-chain planning.
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U.S. Factory Orders Rose Slightly in June as Demand Stayed Uneven
June durable-goods orders rose 0.3%, while stronger business-equipment shipments pointed to continued investment amid uneven factory demand.
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Panel Built opens second McMinn County manufacturing facility in Etowah
Panel Built announced July 7, 2026, that it opened a second manufacturing facility in McMinn County, locating the operation in Etowah and expanding its steel-fabrication capacity.
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DOE Draft Says U.S. Grid Needs Major Transmission Expansion as Data-Center Demand Grows
A new Department of Energy draft study identifies rising electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing and large industrial loads as a pressing reason to expand the nation’s transmission system.
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Master Wall Expands Manufacturing and Headquarters Operations in Columbus
Master Wall Inc. announced a new manufacturing facility and headquarters in Columbus, adding a locally identified industrial and business-development project.
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McAllen receives $6 million grant for industrial park infrastructure
A federal grant will help McAllen plan roads, water, sewer and related improvements for its 47-acre industrial park, officials announced July 24.
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Mesa’s 37-Acre Surf Park Joins Growing Development Pipeline
A 37-acre surf-park project is taking shape in Mesa as the city’s economic-development pipeline also adds industrial, hotel, apartment and manufacturing plans.
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Moultrie business park wins $2.975 million federal infrastructure grant
The Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority will use the U.S. Economic Development Administration grant for roads, utilities, drainage and other improvements at Citizens Business Park.
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China’s Second-Quarter Growth Slows to 4.3% on July 15, 2026, Increasing Pressure for Support
China’s economy grew 4.3% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, its slowest quarterly pace in more than three years, as weak household consumption offset stronger manufacturing and exports.
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Alabama awards Tuskegee $400,000 grant for automotive-supplier plant expected to create 187 jobs
A $400,000 federal Community Development Block Grant will support infrastructure for CPT America’s planned $163 million automotive-supplier plant in Tuskegee.
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Grand Forks manufacturer finalizes $6.6M federal foam contract
Vorbeck Materials finalized a $6.6 million Defense Logistics Agency contract tied to PFAS-free firefighting-foam technology at its Grand Forks facility.
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FANUC Pontiac expansion included in plan for 553 regional jobs
A Michigan Strategic Fund approval includes FANUC’s Pontiac expansion, which will add manufacturing and logistics capacity as part of 553 expected regional jobs.
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Connecticut payroll jobs hit record high as unemployment rises to 5.2%
Connecticut reached a record 1,726,500 payroll jobs in June, even as the unemployment rate climbed from 4.3% in December to 5.2%.
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Omaha Skylark Meats closure is scheduled to affect 218 jobs Aug. 25
Skylark Meats’ Omaha plant at 4430 South 110th Street is scheduled to close permanently at the end of business Aug. 25, affecting 218 employees, according to a Nebraska WARN filing.
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U.S. factories expand, but orders and supply costs remain uneven
U.S. manufacturing expanded for a seventh month in July, but slower deliveries, higher input prices and weaker June shipments show the recovery remains uneven.
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Kalmbach Feeds expansion could add 213 jobs in Upper Sandusky-area operations
State-backed records describe a proposed Kalmbach Feeds pet-food facility involving Upper Sandusky and Carey, $125 million in reported fixed-asset investment, 213 projected new jobs and a planned rail system designed to handle 400 additional annual carloads.
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White House flags aircraft imports as national-security concern
President Donald Trump identified commercial aircraft and engine imports as a national-security concern, but imposed no immediate tariffs as agencies begin talks.
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Micron plans $500 million backing for Texas wafer plant
Micron plans $500 million in financing for GlobalWafers’ Sherman wafer plant and a 10-year supply deal, but both remain subject to closing conditions.
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China’s factory activity contracts as weak demand tests growth strategy
China’s manufacturing PMI fell below 50 in July as new orders weakened, testing whether high-tech investment and exports can offset softer domestic demand.