How Washington Punishes Small Business

Date: 8 May 2015 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In our op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, we look at how much of our public policy seems to designed to bend the market in the favor of big corporations, and put small, independent businesses at a competitive disadvantage.… Read More

Testimony to Congress: Overhaul Federal Policy to Support Strong Local Economies

Date: 16 Apr 2015 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This week, ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell shared her research and perspective with members of Congress at a hearing organized by the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The forum focused on how federal contracting and other forms of financial support for business should be overhauled to reflect American values of fairness, opportunity, and broad prosperity. … Read More

Understanding the Small Business Credit Crunch

Date: 16 Apr 2014 | posted in: Banking, Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Even as their big competitors are awash in capital, many locally owned businesses are struggling to secure the financing they need to grow. This analysis finds that, since 2000, bank lending to large businesses is up 36 percent, while small business loan volume has fallen 14 percent and “micro” business loans — those under $100,000 — have plummeted 33 percent.… Read More

Critical Small Business Loan Program Cut

Date: 1 Nov 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Bush Administration has cut the federal government’s largest and most important small business loan program by more than 60 percent. This year, the program will back only $4.4 billion in loans, compared to nearly $12 billion last year. The program, known as 7(a), is run by the Small Business Administration and guarantees loans of up to $2 million made to small businesses. It is the largest source of long-term working capital for small businesses in the nation, accounting for some 40 percent of available financing. … Read More