Dems:Minority biz needs contracts, capital

[Khephra]

Dems:Minority biz needs contracts, capital
By DAR HADDIX
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Minority small businesses are receiving fewer government contracts and don't have access to enough capital, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., and other Democrats said Wednesday during the third annual Minority Business Summit, held by Democrats of the House Small Business Committee. But the Small Business Administration said that the government is more than meeting its contract requirements and is awarding more small business loans to minorities this year than last year.

"This administration doesn't care about small business," Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif., said during the summit.

"Small businesses need capital, they need to have a good business plan they need to be ready to compete they need access to contracts and that's something we do provide to minority businesses through different programs," SBA spokesman Evan Keefer said.

As of 2002, 15 percent of U.S. businesses were minority-owned, and generated about $591 billion dollars in sales.

http://about.upi.com/products/perspectives/UPI-20040908-111527-8916R

[AP]

1. One of the first programs Bush cut: SBA. He didn't need small businesses

innovating and price competing with his mega-business cronies.