by Contributing Writer Published: February 26,2010
Tags: exports, Small Business
While many small businesses are in survival mode during the current economic downturn, there are still strategic decisions that can be made today which may have a positive impact on this year’s bottom line. Small businesses account for 30 percent of all U.S. exports — a staggering $500 billion per year. The fastest growing segment of [...] [...]
by Contributing Writer Published: February 19,2010
Tags: Jobs, President Barack Obama, Small Business
The message from President Barack Obama is clear: we must give small businesses the tools they need to create the jobs America needs. Small businesses are the biggest engine for job creation, having created nearly 65 percent of net new jobs over the last 15 years. However, in this tough economic climate, small businesses still face [...] [...]
by Amy Gillentine Published: January 29,2010
Tags: Insurance, Small Business
If insurance plans cost more, small businesses want more Small businesses say they are being shortchanged by their health insurance companies. A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report shows businesses expect more from their insurance companies — They want more information, more technology and more health and wellness. Premiums continue to rise — particularly in the small group market, and business [...] [...]
by Rebecca Tonn Published: January 29,2010
Tags: Dr. Fred Crowley, Small Business, UCCS
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs economist and instructor Fred Crowley is looking for small businesses that want some free advice. Senior finance students, taking the Case Study Class, Finance 410, are ready this semester to analyze a small business’ operations and help take it to the next level. “It’s a capstone course for finance majors — [...] [...]
by Amy Gillentine Published: January 7,2010
Despite the recession and 10 percent unemployment, some small businesses were hiring last year. The SurePayroll’s monthly small business score card shows that hiring increased 3.4 percent during 2009. Most of the new employees were contract workers during the early part of the year, but the survey showed that more of the month-over-month hiring increases by [...] [...]
by Amy Gillentine Published: December 8,2009
Tags: employment law, litigation, Mountain States Employers Council, Small Business
Small business owners throughout Colorado will have access to both human resource professionals and employment attorneys at the first small business training seminar in Denver on Dec. 14. Sponsored by Sen. Linda Newell, a Democrat from Littleton, the seminar covers human resource and labor practices, said Senate spokesman Jack Wylie. “So often, they don’t stay on top [...] [...]
by Becky Hurley Published: November 30,2009
Tags: legislation, Small Business
The House of Representatives advanced four small business bills last week, according to the National Association for the Self-Employed. H.R. 3014 would set aside $10 billion to guarantee financing for physicians who want to upgrade software and technology. H.R. 3738 would provide $250 million for new firms conducting agriculture research. H.R. 1839 would give $7 million to expand [...] [...]
by Becky Hurley Published: November 9,2009
Tags: Colorado Springs, government contracts, Small Business
While many Colorado Springs small business owners are hailing the opening of the Procurement Technical Assistance Center for the help they’ll receive getting government contracts, some firms are already in the contracting loop. Here’s a roundup of which companies have scored contracts recently: Colorado Springs-based Colorado Engineering Inc. has won a federal contract valued at up to [...] [...]
by Becky Hurley Published: November 5,2009
Tags: legislation, SBA, Small Business
It’s just a start, but Congress appears ready to help small businesses gain access to more capital. Last week the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Small Business Financing Investment Act (H.R. 3854), clearing the way for more small business financial resources. Congressional supporters said most Small Business Administration programs hadn’t been updated for 10 years or [...] [...]
by Rebecca Tonn Published: October 30,2009
Tags: economy, Small Business
Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, comprising half the nation’s nonfarm, private gross domestic product. And small business — along with the rest of the economy — has been struggling during 2008 and 2009. But Americans are resilient and continue to become entrepreneurs. Although changes in the economy may make it more difficult to [...] [...]
