Female Business Development Center Final Report 2 (Economic Development Administration Grant for the City of Cleveland)

摘要

While the one-year demonstration program to help women establish and expand businesses was a success in the number of women assisted, the final report draws serious conclusions. Among them are: (1) Discrimination still exists in relation to women in business. Although some women have made progress, this study concluded that the field of procurement -- purchases of supplies by public governments from private individuals -- remains a male dominated stronghold. (2) A specific effort is needed to identify the problems of financing the start-up and expansion of female-owned business. The lack of finance remains a major barrier to business development for women. (3) More emphasis needs to be placed on offering information and educational activities to encourage women to become businesspersons. Consideration should be given to increasing the number of business development courses in high schools and in adult education. (4) Additional outreach activities should be offered to inform women of the public and private programs available to start a business.