States

 

The annual "Report on the States" (October 1985) clearly outlines many of the innovative programs that states are developing to assist small businesses. You correctly conclude that many states now take the initiative in boosting economic growth, because of the Reagan Administration's withdrawal from the economic-development arena.

Just last summer, for example, nearly 100 banking institutions in Ohio committed more than $2 billion to economic-development projects in communities across the state. This commitment is as large as all the similar programs in the nation combined. This new kind of partnership works to make available long-term financing for healthy, growing small and midsize businesses.