Author Description

Economic development programs can contribute to the well-being of the economy at the least cost to taxpayers. Such programs can encompass small business (SB) development and contracting. To encourage such contracting, Congress created programs -- such as the Historically Underutilized Bus. Zone, service-disabled vet.-owned SB, and 8(a) Bus. Development programs -- that give contracting preferences to some SB: in economically distressed communities; to those owned by service-disabled vets; and to those with eligible socially and economically disadvantaged owners. This testimony addresses: (1) potential duplication in economic development programs; and (2) internal controls weaknesses in 3 SB programs. Illus. A print on demand report.