The mix of black business: Implications for growth

Analyze suggest that industry mix is not a major problem for black business, the geographic mix of black business is favorable for growth, but the size of black business may represent a major obstacle to growth. This study points to impressive future growth for medium-sized firms, particularly in the Southeast and Southwest. If substantial investments of time and money in the myriad of minority enterprise development programs are to be justified, it is important to recognize the relevance of external factors that may negate program success. Fortunately, goegraphic location and type of industry appear to pose no particular problem at present. Firm size, however, remains a matter of serious concern, and further research should determine more precisely its implication for the future growth of black and other minority-owned businesses.