Government and Economy
2009 Small Business Outlook
Business Know-How ran a survey last month to find out how business owners think their businesses will do this year compared to last year, how they view the recession, how they are coping with it, and how they think the government should help. Here are the results. BusinessKnowHow.com
TARP Panel: Economic Crisis is “Far From Over”
Though some economic measures are improving; with billions spent and more on the way, on the...
By Charles M Cooper · April 08 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Local Economies – Local Currencies
Borrowing from a Depression-era idea, more and more communities are aiming to help consumers make ends meet and support struggling local businesses by printing and circulating their own currencies. USAToday.com
Energy Tax Breaks to Benefit Small Businesses...Eventually
It may take a little while, but most of the small business energy incentives in the economic-stimulus plan will eventually trickle down from state and local governments. WSJ.com
Management and Financial Issues
By Charles M Cooper · April 07 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
UBS: Supplier-Credit Drop Harming Small Business
Many small and medium-sized businesses are under just as much or more pressure from shrinking inter-company credit than from the well-documented tightening of bank lending, UBS said in a report this week. Reuters.com
New SBA Chief Vows to Breathe New Life into Ailing Agency
Small business advocates and Washington politicians are pegging their hopes on new SBA chief Karen Mills acting quickly to help small business owners and reform the Small Business Administration. BusinessWeek.com
By Charles M Cooper · April 06 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Microlenders Growing Fast
As banks continue to freeze lending, more small-business owners and would-be entrepreneurs are turning to microlenders, organizations that offer smaller loans ranging from as little as $500 to $35,000, as a viable alternative. WSJ.com
Senate Proposal Sends Remaining TARP Money to Small Business
In a nonbinding vote, the US Senate endorsed a proposal to use the remaining funds in the Treasury Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to help small businesses. Bloomberg.com
Management and Financial Issues
By Charles M Cooper · April 03 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Mills: Small Business Aid is Coming
During her Senate confirmation hearing, incoming Small Business Administration chief Karen Gordon Mills acknowledged the agency's troubles while maintaining that the SBA's problems are fixable. CNNMoney.com
Report: Small Business Job Loss Up
According to a new ADP National Employment Report, small companies are shedding jobs as fast, if not faster, than large firms, which is very unusual in recessions. WSJ.com
By Charles M Cooper · April 02 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Lenders Reject Obama Plan for Small Business
President Obama's $15 billion initiative to spur small business lending has been rejected by every major provider of these kinds of loans. They say the plan simply will not work. WashingtonPost.com
As SBA Guarantees More and More...
...fewer and fewer firms are borrowing. While the government measures may help some businesses, the rest are looking for great economic improvements before looking for loans. Kiplinger.com
By Charles M Cooper · April 01 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
Federal Confusion Stifling Credit Flow
The federal government wants banks to lend more money to small businesses, but demands from federal regulators for more capital and higher deposit insurance premiums, and fears about what Congress may do next, are choking off the flow of much-needed money. MSNBC.com
Small Businesses Need Relief, Too
On Main Street, small businesses have been hit hard by the recession. Unable to obtain affordable capital and often in need of technical assistance to help them survive, many small businesses—needing direct help—are closing their doors and laying off workers. Reuters.com
By Charles M Cooper · March 31 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
Government and Economy
GOP Continuing Fight With Dems Over Small Business Taxes
While there would be only a few small businesses that would see a tax increase under President Obama's budget plan, those companies in line for higher taxes employ the most workers and could be hit hard. ABCNews.com
SBA Raises Surety Bond Limits
The SBA is raising the guarantee ceiling on contractor surety bonds to $5 million, more than double the previous $2 million ceiling. BizJournals.com
Congress Not Consulted About Wagoner Ousting
By Charles M Cooper · March 30 2009
small business brief, marketing, small business, economy
