The move into commerce by a religious sect that has determinedly kept the modern world at bay has been more out of necessity than desire.

A nonprofit Congress set up to help veterans with small businesses was criticized in a Senate report for spending federal dollars on luxuries and high salaries.

A 65-year-old, family-owned company makes about 80 percent of the altar bread used by American churches.

A 65-year-old, family-owned company makes about 80 percent of the altar bread used by the Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran and Southern Baptist churches in the United States.

Bankers returning to rules like requiring 20 percent down payments are making it difficult for many small businesses.

This has been a gut-wrenching first year in business for three entrepreneurs whose start-ups were profiled in this column last December.

With fewer people out buying, some small businesses are doing whatever they think will draw in customers.

In raising money and investing it with a nonprofit lending institution, the Meadows School in Las Vegas is by all accounts the first high school to operate a microbank.

Despite the worldwide downturn, the ties between small businesses in China and Southern California should continue to grow.

Santanu K. Baruah, acting administrator for the Small Business Administration, discusses the changes the agency is making to help small companies weather the economic downturn.