I'm Steve Curwood. If you've ever tried to start a small business in this country, chances areyou've heard of the federal government's Small Business Administration. The SBA helps entrepreneurs borrow money for everything from rent payments to new equipment. But according to lawsuits filed by two environmental groups, SBA loans worth millions of dollars in the Washington, D.C., area and elsewhere are encouraging sprawl. From Washington, Tom Lalley reports.
Small businesses are the backbone of many communities in the Washington, D.C. area.
And together, they're a powerful political force. The suit asked that SBA stop making loans that contribute to sprawl. Harry Alfred is the president and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Members of his organization rely heavily on SBA loans. They're cutting off the tap for business revitalization and business growth.