Businesses

Creating a healthy small business ecosystem can be difficult in rural areas where there are fewer resources available. By investing in expanding digital access and technical support resources, rural small businesses can get the support they need to overcome these challenges and grow.

The Russia–Ukraine war has had significant effects on both countries’ exports, and trade partners worldwide have experienced interruptions in supplies. This District Data Brief examines how much our region’s economy may be affected by the disruptions.

Despite expectations that supply chain challenges would have subsided, disruptions continue. In response, some firms are making changes to the way that they manage their supply chains, and these changes are expected to be long-lasting.

Data from the Small Business Credit Survey and insights from community-based organizations prove to be invaluable tools for helping small businesses access the credit they need.

Manufacturing jobs have long been associated with good wages. While some manufacturing workers still enjoy relatively high wages, the premium for workers on the factory floor has shrunk dramatically. Why? And what does it mean for workforce policy?

Driven by the delta variant, the latest COVID-19 surge is the largest and most widespread since that of November and December 2020. How do consumer spending and social distancing habits during the delta surge compare to those of last fall’s surge?

Nearly 18 months from the outbreak of COVID-19, small employer firms—businesses with fewer than 500 employees—continue to cope with the extra challenges the pandemic brought. How are they weathering the pandemic?

When the coronavirus pandemic began, many feared the housing market would collapse as it did in the mid-2000s. Instead, the industry has struggled to keep up with an influx of demand for homes, leading to rapidly rising prices. What’s next for residential real estate and construction?

Not all rural communities are suffering from employment losses—some are growing—but specialization in the right industries and adaptability and resiliency are key.

Communities and regional partners in eastern Kentucky are joining forces—sharing resources, solutions, and stories of success—to promote a resilient economy.

Discussions to share info and seek public comment on proposed changes to modernize the CRA revealed two things key for ensuring access to capital for all people and communities.