Highlighted by Don

The Small Business Administration recently began posting a list of banks making America’s Recovery Capital loans. The list, makes for both interesting and depressing reading. Just 405 banks had made 1,191 loans. Of the 25 largest banks in the U.S. that control two-thirds of all bank assets, 8 have made these SBA loan.

Lt. Gov Barbara Lawton of Wisconsin was happy to claim some credit. “One of my concerns in the context of this economic crisis is that small businesses were feeling left out of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” she said. “And because all of it is first-come, first-served,” she continued, “I thought my job was to make sure that Wisconsin businesses get at least their fair share.”

Ms. Lawton held road shows in cities and towns across the state, bringing together mayors and other elected officials, bankers, local chambers and businesses that found capital through various S.B.A. programs. “Our job,” she maintained, “is to get this story out.”

The lenders in Iowa know their customer base, and know which customers will benefit from the program. These businesses are right down the street.