New York SBDC Research Network

U.S. business spending on new and used structures and equipment rose 4.5 percent, from $1,423.6 billion in 2012 to $1,488.2 billion in 2013, according to the latest economic data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. These findings come from the 2013  Annual Capital Expenditures Survey , which provides statistics on capital spending for new and used structures and equipment by U.S. nonfarm businesses with and without paid employees. This survey, conducted annually since 1994, is an integral part of the federal government’s effort to improve and supplement ongoing statistical economic programs.

SBA and Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp have teamed up for a webinar series this month to help entrepreneurs learn how to build business credit and how to prepare for a business loan. It's free, but registration is required. • 5 Steps to Building Business Credit Tuesday, April 22 | 2pm ET > Click to register • Access to Capital: Preparing to Meet Your Lender Wednesday, April 30 | 2pm ET > Click to register AARP and SBA Webinar – The Secrets to Writing a Good Business Plan Have you considered developing a plan for your small business? Learn why it is important to have a small business plan during this free, one-hour webinar on April 22 by joining AARP and SBA as we help age 50+ individuals get your small business up and running. > Read more

In FY 2013, Advocacy produced 22 contract and internal research reports on a variety of topics including access to capital, small business exporters, entrepreneurship, and minority- and women-owned businesses. In addition to these reports, Advocacy economists participated in roundtables and conferences about various small business topics and conducted presentations to audiences that included policymakers, academics, and/or the media. These outreach efforts are important for small business stakeholders around the country. This document describes the 2013 research and provides links to the publications on Advocacy’s website .

Over the last three years, SBA has provided small businesses owners and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to not only survive, but thrive in tough economic times. Today, we’re seeing commercial markets improve, but we know gaps still remain, especially in underserved communities. That's why SBA recently formalized a partnership with the U.S. Black Chamber, Inc. to build on our efforts to support underserved communities that have been hit hard by the recession. Learn more about the partnership in this post from Deputy Administrator Marie Johns.

If you are looking for capital to finance your startup or business growth, many signs suggest that lending markets are showing renewed vigor. Here are some tips to help you understand what SBA loans are available, where to get them, and how to prepare a successful loan application.

Check out Fitch's latest Credit Outlook , published last week.

This is now old news, but we'd be remiss if we didn't mention it. Last Tuesday (11/17), Goldman Sachs announced that it was partnering with Warren Buffet to provide $500 million in a "10,000 Small Businesses" plan. I learned about it from the Wall Street Journal last week . The article focuses on the actual plans for the fund. These won't be direct loans to just anyone. $200 million is earmarked on "education and training programs" (they're big on mentoring), and the remainder will be (according to their press release ) "a combination of lending and philanthropic support to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)". The education and training programs will be targeted primarily at "underserved" small business owners, and will be taught primarily at community colleges and universities. Our own SBDC at LaGuardia Community College in Queens will be the first to offer such training, in the spring of 2010. As the WSJ arti