y four thousand employees. The SBA has an office in nearly every state, for easier access for future small business owners. On top of it, the SBA increases its ability to help many small businesses through public or private initiatives. Ninety nine percent of all U.S. businesses are considered small, and approximate amount of 20 million small businesses make up 39 percent of the GNP, provide around 50 percent of America's workforce, and generate 53.5 percent of all sales. Most small, independent businesses or individuals starting a business are eligible for Small Business Administration assistance. Since the SBA is committed to economic development through small businesses, it works to help businesses get started, grow and remain profitable. II. Business Development SBA's Business Development programs serve as the catalyst for today's small business growth by providing management, marketing and training information to our nation's entrepreneurs. This includes individual counseling, courses, conferences, workshops,problem-solving clinics, a wide range of publications and videos, and SBA On-Line (a computer-based electronic bulletin board). The Office of Business Initiatives, Education and Training coordinates these resources, directs technical experts, and provides liaison and management oversight for the following programs:A. Services Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)For 28 years, more than 12,000 SCORE volunteers have provided free counseling through SCORE's 390 chapters and 270 satellite offices across the country.B. Small Business Institutes (SBI)C. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)D. Business Information Centers (BIC)III. Financial AssistanceA.7(a) General Business LoanB.The 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program is one of SBA's primary lending programs. It provides loans to small businesses that are unable to secure financing on reasonable terms through normal lending places. The program operates through private-sectors lenders that...
