Small businesses

The decline in unemployment has slowed since an early rebound from the first wave of COVID-19 shutdowns.

The central bank dropped the minimum loan amount under its Main Street Lending Program to $100,000. But not many businesses feel confident taking out loans they'll have to repay in five years.

A survey from the NFIB finds optimism at pre-pandemic levels, but not necessarily for businesses in the service sector like restaurants and retail shops.

Many furloughed workers are hoping to return to their old jobs.

Many nightclubs have had to shut down or limit partying to outdoor areas.

Eric Rosengren says that the Fed's Main Street Lending Program started off slow, but interest in borrowing has increased.

"Without a robust small business economy, we can’t envision any kind of meaningful recovery," one expert says.

The owner of one fine-dining restaurant in California opened a new eatery during the pandemic as a takeout operation.

The owners, who employ many Asian immigrant workers, face mounting costs and fewer customers as they try to keep their doors open.

The deadline for Paycheck Protection Program loan approvals is Tuesday. Some haven't been clear about their eligibility. Others have been trying since the beginning.