Small to mid-sized companies say they prefer to buy communications services from a single provider. However, many find the higher costs and lack of bundled services gives them few options but to go with multiple vendors. According to new studies from Forrester Research Inc., small business owners who use bundled services are okay with their communications costs and their vendors. But when businesses grow by a couple hundred employees, the proposition is much different. The reports found that there’s a huge gap between what the midsized customer wants and what vendors are offering. As a result, many cost-sensitive midsized firms use multiple vendors in order to get the best price, regardless of the hassle.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is testing a new program aimed at increasing contracting opportunities for Oregon small businesses. In partnership with small business community leaders, American Council of Engineering Companies and other stakeholders, ODOT plans to boost the participation of the state’s businesses in transportation projects, eventually on a statewide basis. For more information, visit http://www.oregon.gov/odot.
Small businesses turned to the U.S. Small Business Administration for commercial financing in droves during fiscal 2006, setting records for both the number of loans and the dollars loaned. The SBA backed a net 100,197 loans totaling $19.1 billion under its two primary small business loan programs during the 12 months ending on Sept. 30. The previous records were set last year, when SBA provided a net 94,554 loans worth $18.1 billion under the same two programs. A third of the loans in FY 2006 went to minority borrowers, 32% to start-ups, 22% to businesses owned by women and 21% to firms in rural areas. Increases were recorded in loans to African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans. For details, click on http://www.sba.gov.