While most of the nation\u2019s attention is focused on saving behemoth financial firms, small businesses are struggling to ride out a perfect storm of tougher credit conditions in a badly hobbled economy.<\/p>\n
The result is that the finance sector\u2019s woes\u201d\u201dwhich has spawned new lending prudence\u201d\u201dis exacerbating, rather than relieving, economic weakness.<\/p>\n
Even government programs designed to help small business are falling down on their mandate just when they are needed most, says small business advocates.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been difficult for small business but now it is become almost impossible\u201d\u009d to survive, say Marilyn Landis, chairwoman of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). \u201cMany factors are coming together to make this a perfect storm for small businesses.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n