SmallBusinessExecutiveInforming, Inspiring and Connecting Businesses
Steep slowdown in startups impacts economy
Submitted by the Kauffman Foundation (KANSAS CITY, MO.), May 2, 2012 – Building on a long-term trend, the nation’s business startup rate fell below 8 percent for the first time in 2010, marking the lowest point on record for new firm births. New firms as a percentage of all firms continued a steady downward trend [...]
As small businesses grow, so goes the economy
By John Byrne Guest editorial Greece and the worries of the European financiers dominate the news headlines these days. To be sure, the problems are serious for many nations, including the United States. But something else is equally certain: While anxious bankers and many world leaders are pacing, there are small businesses that can’t get into motion fast [...]
Businesses started out of necessity might not generate jobs: Kauffman report
The Great Recession produced more entrepreneurs than at any time during the past 15 years, but most haven’t yet generated jobs, according to a new study by the Kansas City, Mo.-based Kauffman Foundation. The foundation’s Index of Entrepreneurial Activity suggests about 34 out of 10,000 adults — or about 565,000 people – started businesses each month [...]
U.S. Chamber: Strict business regulations constrict job growth in Illinois
A new report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce suggests states with more business regulations might be constricting employment growth and business formation. By reducing labor and employment regulation, states could generate about 750,000 new jobs nationwide and 50,000 new firms, the report concludes. The report’s state-by-state review gives Illinois a “poor” rating, due to [...]
Small businesses add workers, hours
The Intuit Small Business Employment Index indicates small businesses created about 50,000 jobs in February, while slightly increasing the average number of employee hours worked to 107.6 hours or about 24.8 hours per week, Crain’s Enterprise City blog reported today. Small businesses have added about 800,000 jobs since the growth trend began in October 2009, [...]
Cook County tops nation for black-owned firms
Cook County had more African American-owned businesses in 2007 than any other county in the nation, with 83,733 located here, the U.S. Census Bureau reported last week. Nationally, African American-owned businesses grew at three times the national rate for all businesses between 2002 and 2007, the latest year for which figures are available, according to [...]
News digest: Small business lending, HuffPost sale, new health care debate
Small business loans still lag. After months of economic uncertainty, some banks are eager to lend to businesses again, yet bank lending to small businesses continue to lag other loan types, the Wall Street Journal reported. In addition, more banks have eased loan terms over the past three months for large and mid-size firms than [...]
News digest: White House unleashes entrepreneurial spirit, but what about Chicago?
White House backs startups but ignores Chicago. The White House launched “Startup America” Monday to support more entrepreneurial ventures and homegrown innovation, according to a White House release. As part of the initiative, President Barack Obama said he would propose to Congress a permanent capital gains tax exclusion for some small business investments, The Wall Street Journal [...]
“Buy American” provision aims to level the playing field
A military authorization law that President Obama signed on Friday included a “Buy American” provision aimed at boosting manufacturing in the United States instead of sending orders to China. The provision, which bars the Defense Department from buying solar panels made in China, could help the United States gain market share from the Chinese, which [...]
