SBA

The Small Business Administration for the second time in just over a year is letting non-traditional lenders apply for one of its Small Business Lending Co. licenses.

Small-business owners are being told to brace for a continued squeeze as banks further tighten their lending standards in the current economic environment.

The amount of money from bank loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration going to Black-owned businesses in the past year increased significantly in Massachusetts, New England and the country, the federal agency reports.

When a group of 50 local business owners and activists sat down with Small Business Administration head Isabella Guzman last Wednesday to discuss ways the federal government can better help local entrepreneurs, there was no lack of ideas.