Issue	Solution
Small Business Capital
Small business is the engine fueling job growth in the U.S. Yet, many small businesses fail because they don’t have access to necessary capital. Most loans requested by small businesses are too small to interest lenders. CPA Resource: Revitalizing Communities Program	Develop intermediary financing systems to create larger pools of capital that small businesses can access. Enact State Community Development Financing Institution (CDFI) legislation (model legislation available from CPA). Establish Emerging Business Equity Funds.
Small Business Training
Women-owned businesses are growing at twice the rate of men-owned businesses, and will account for half of all U.S. businesses by 2000. Four in 10 women want to start their own business. However, the lack of access to credit, contracting networks and business training are still obstacles. FACT: Women business owners contributed $2.3 trillion to the economy last year. CPA Resource: Women & the Economy Program	Link small business loans to technical assistance programs (model legislation available from CPA). Establish state Family Development Accounts and Individual Development Accounts — tax-free savings accounts which facilitate capital accumulation for small business start-up and which are often linked to training (model legislation available from CPA).