Black-owned firms grow at four times the national rate

WTNH Television ^ | 4/19/06 | Puppage

[Puppage]

(Washington-AP, Apr. 18, 2006 2:25 PM) _ The government says businesses started by black entrepreneurs are among the fastest-growing segments of the American economy.

That's also true in Connecticut, where the number of black-owned businesses grew from more than 7,000 in 1997 to more than 10,000 in 2002.

Connecticut NAACP president Scot Esdaile says he thinks a lot of people are trying to start their own businesses because there aren't enough jobs in the state.

Esdaile says that though his group welcomes the new entrepreneurs, members also want to push for more opportunities to do business with the state.

Across the country, nearly all black-owned businesses are small, with about 92 percent having no employees other than the owners. By comparison, about three-fourths of all U.S. businesses have no employees.

[Puppage]

Connecticut NAACP president Scot Esdaile says he thinks a lot of people are trying to start their own businesses because there aren't enough jobs in the state

Yeah, riiight.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I wonder how much of this is attributable to Government Minority set-asides.

[thoughtomator]

This is wholly due to the preferential treatment based on skin color on the part of US governments from the federal level on down. You can't even bid on many government contracts unless your company is owned by non-whites.

Jim Crow, eat your heart out.

[Roccus]

Ya think?

[July 4th]

Yep. There are preference in contracts, loans, you name it. Sure, more black people are starting businesses. It's far easier for them.

[Roccus]

And for this we can thank Mr. Nixon.

[meandog]

As for me, I see this as more REPUBLICANS entering the electorate rather than set-a-sides!

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

You might be right, since the more taxes people pay, the more they become Republicans. However, a lot of set-asides in places like Atlanta by the city government there amounted to the same thing that Blacks complained about during Jim Crow, when White politicians gave contracts to their cronies.

[mlc9852]

So they find something to complain about no matter what. Typical.

[Roccus]

That may be. I remember a story from a few years ago about basketball players new to the NBA. They were shocked by the amount of taxes that 'the man' took from them. Of course, there is always the possibility that many D's will switch to R's (a-la Blumberg in NYC) at which point we'll be back in the same boat as we're in now. Ya just never know when yer dealin' with politicians.

[meandog]

I'm not saying set-asides don't exist...but I don't believe a business venture can long endure if it subsists entirely on them...I've seen a blossoming of black-owned successes in my neck of the woods and most of them sound more like the GOP or, at least, moderate rather than spout the hard-left liberal line, so I patronize them!

[AuH2ORepublican]

May I be the first to say . . .

"IT'S BUSH'S FAULT!"

: )

[montag813]

Across the country, nearly all black-owned businesses are small, with about 92 percent having no employees other than the owners.

"I always 1099 ma bitches!"

[Roccus]

No, it's Nixon's fault!

}:^)

[thoughtomator]

That must be under the philosophy of the GOP taking voters from the Democrat party by adopting the Democrat platform.

[Terabitten]

Puppage - this isn't directed to you personally, it's for everyone else on this thread.


Do any of y'all know the Federal rules for small business set-asides?

23% of prime contracts go to Small businesses.
5% of prime and subcontracts go to minority small businesses.
5% of prime and subcontracts go to women-owned small businesses.
3% of prime contracts go to "Historically Underutilized Business Zones," or HUBZones.

In other words, only 1/3 of all Federal contracts are supposed to go to small businesses of ANY variety, and a mere 5% to minority or women-owned small businesses. Considering that one contract may qualify under several different categories, the actual percentage is much smaller.

Do some research before comparing this to Jim Crow.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I work in procurement for the Federal Government. Believe me, there are many minority firms under the 8(a) program that would cease to exist without the set-aside program. Also, their prices are generally higher than fully competed contracts.

[B4Ranch]

How many taxpayer financed loans are being used for this growth? How many special tax benefits are they awarded merely because of their skin color?

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[Andonius_99]

Amen to that, my girlfriend's family owns thier own cleaning company and a couple of apartments. The mail they receive from the state offering loans and such to "help" them is unbelievable.