What if the government could lend money directly to the small businesses — wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Would it really?

President Barack Obama addressed that very question earlier this month at a town-hall type meeting in Tampa.

The question was posed by small business owner, Steve Gordon, where he asked why it was so easy to lend to the large banks and the auto industry, but that small businesses have to go through their banks in order to get an SBA loan.

Well, first of all, President Obama pointed out, the SBA loans aren’t even run by the SBA. Although the loans are underwritten by the SBA, the SBA works with the local and community banks to process the loan.

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How to Optimize Your Local Business on Google Maps

Are you a local small business who wants to increase business through customer internet searches? Any local business SEO strategy should include returning a search result on Google Maps, which can help pinpoint your exact location to those trying to find your products or services.

What is Google Maps?

Google Maps is a service provided by Google through its Local Business Center. This innovative online marketing tool allows you to create a free listing and manage the account to continually improve your Google Maps SEO. Many small and medium businesses simply do not know that they can have a free listing.

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Who would have expected that the culture for philanthropy would have grown in such a ravaged economy? The Wall Street Journal reported that although private giving has fallen 6% in 2008. Nonetheless, the recession seems to have triggered altruism in certain individuals and the urge to help others is stronger than ever.

If you’re of those who gave in to their altruistic instincts and started a philanthropic organization, you might have already considered making your organization a tax exempt nonprofit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If so, you’ve probably already had a look at some of the formation requirements.

But let’s backtrack a bit.

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Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies have emerged winners in the drawn-out battle between the government and commercial banks over the cost of lending.

Over the past two years, the government through Central Bank of Kenya, has been unsuccessful in seducing commercial banks to lower their interest rates in line with improved market conditions.

As a result, the government has announced that it will divert the disbursement of devolved funds — the youth and women enterprise funds — from commercial banks to saccos, as it seeks alternative and cheaper credit outlets.

This is a blow for banks as it takes away a key revenue stream.

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Yet, a recent report from Kiplinger suggests that small businesses may not have played as big a role in reducing these rates as temp agencies.

Employment for contingent workers has been steadily increasing since July, says the source. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has added more than 100,000 temp jobs to payrolls since last summer.

Kiplinger experts estimate that contingent labor accounts for about 11 percent of the current workforce, or 14 million people. While the fate of these workers at the end of their corporate projects is unknown, the source says they might easily find another temp job.

It easier than ever before for contingent workers to continue up their career leaders.

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