Credit relief: too little, too late.

Even though President Barack Obama's economic agenda aims to help 27 million small business owners in the U.S., many entrepreneurs see it as a case of too little, too late. A survey by management consulting firm George S. May International Co. shows the majority of small business owners believe credit relief is critical to their survival, but 60.2% don't think it will come in time. "Business owners are not as worried about a tax increase as much as they fear lack of relief," said company president Israel Kushnir in a press release. He stresses that small businesses can't afford to wait until the government steps in to provide assistance.

EDITED BY CAROLYN M. BROWN

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TOP 3 SMALL BUSINESS EXPECTATIONS
FOR OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

CREDIT RELIEF          35.1%

AFFORDABLE EMPLOYEE
HEALTHCARE             32.6%

TAX REBATES            32.3%