For Subscribers

Is SBA S.O.L.?

With a general lack of respect from lawmakers and entrepreneurs alike, some say the agency has outlived its usefulness. Can the SBA be saved?

By Joanne Cleaver

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

People usually complain, loud and long, when a populargovernment agency is faced with dramatic budget cuts. So whatexplains the deafening silence after the Bush administration'sinitial budget slashed funding for the SBA by 40 percent, to $540million? Small-business-minded senators rode to the rescue,restoring $264 million to a budget resolution in hopes ofprotecting the 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program and a venture capitalprogram for businesses in economically depressed areas.

Still, some of the dramatic changes survived: Small businesseswill pay twice as much-$2,800-in fees for their guaranteed loans,and for the first time, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)will start charging entrepreneurs for counseling.

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