Austin small businesses thriving

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A City of Austin program is offering free help for would be small business owners. The Small Business Development Program helps small business owners apply for loans, create business and marketing plans, and even access the internet.

"Almost all of our services are free of charge," said Michelle Frith. "The only thing that isn't is our classes and those are very low cost. 94 percent of Austin business is small business and we want to support our small business, because that is the backbone of our economy."

The growing recession is hitting small businesses hard, but Michelle Frith with the Small Business Development Program said Austin has been spared.

"We're seeing small business owners are being very positive while they're being conservative with their spending right now," said Frith.

Nationally, just 3 percent of America's small businesses reported growth in 2008, according to the Small Business Association's year end report. Three of four small business owners said the economic uncertainty will be their greatest challenge in 2009.

The City of Austin Small Business Development Program is located at One Texas Center, which is at the intersection of Barton Springs and and South First streets.