It’s not surprising that taking on debt is out of vogue these days. What is surprising that it’s not just on the lender side; small businesses are shying away from loans as well. Is this because that debt is bad in uncertain times, or is there another reason? The number of SBA’s number one secured…
Category Archives: SBA News
Go Ahead and Let the Wind Blow
The SBA isn’t just there to help with your business crises. In response to Hurricane Gustav, the SBA sent more than 125 customer service representatives to Louisiana. They will work with the Louisiana Economic Development Department to take care of Louisiana’s small business needs. Among the help provided will be the creation of five Business…
Big Businesses Granted Small Business Loans
We are very sorry to report that in 2006 and 2007, several companies and organizations that were not small businesses received funds that had been earmarked for small businesses. This mistakenly given money amounted to some $5.7 million in contracts, according to the Department of the Interior. Among those companies who received money that was…
The U.S. SBA: Providing Quality Online Business Training and More
The U.S. Small Business Association is a veritable gold mine of information on small business issues. Recently, they unveiled an updated online course list that is available to everyone . . . and it’s free. Located at SBA.gov, the courses cover topics such as starting a business, business planning, business management, finance and accounting, marketing…
Small Businesses Cry Foul Over Tax Break
Business owners are crying foul over the state of California’s plan to offer an electric car maker a sweet deal as an incentive to keep business in that state. Tesla will not have to pay state sales tax on the machinery it will use to build its Model S car. With this tax break, the…
Small Business Insurance Help
Many small businesses are in crisis when it comes to funding their employee’s health care policies. The continued rising costs have out-priced many companies from being able to provide insurance for their staff. It is not surprising that sixty percent of Americans, who do not have insurance, come from a family where the head of…
Preparing For A Disaster
Fires, tornados, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes can be a real threat to everyone’s personal life as well as the operation of small businesses. Restoring your business to normal operations after a disaster is important for the recovery process in every community around the country. Businesses that have a plan in place before a disaster typically…
The 2008 Economic Stimulus Package For Small Businesses
The 2008 Economic Stimulus Package has been the talk of the town for many months. Taxpayers have been eagerly waiting the $600 (or more) checks to come from the federal government. Many people have already decided how to spend the money or if they are going to save it. Sadly, most small businesses did not…
A Black Eye For The SBA
I have written previously about the allegations that federal contracts that were intended for small businesses have been diverted instead to large corporations both in the United States and in Europe. A judge recently ordered the SBA to release information to the American Small Business League under the Freedom of Information Act. Today that information…
Maryland Wants YOU
There is approximately $300 million in capital projects that is available from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). In the past, most of these projects have been awarded to non-women, non-minority based, and non-small business types of companies. Times are changing in Maryland, and definitely for the good. Governor Martin O’Malley signed legislation this…