Grants no predictor of business success

[unhappycamper]

Grants no predictor of business success
By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, May 26, 2008

DURA’IYAH, Iraq — The door was locked, but the soldiers needed to get a look inside.

Armed with a list of names and approximate locations, a platoon of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division soldiers were on the prowl in the small farming village of Dura’Iyah during a recent patrol.

The target of their search was hardly dangerous, though.

"She received money from coalition forces so we just want to see how the business is doing," 1st Lt. Brendan Collins explained to family members of the absent shop owner.

In an effort to spur businesses along at the grass-roots level, coalition forces have been offering up microgrants for businesses in areas where security is strong enough that more attention can be turned to economic development programs.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55097