Michael Carmichael

Jan. 5, 2012 - With the economy showing signs of improvement, the U.S. Small Business Administration has revisited an existing loan-guarantee program and made it simpler, more user-friendly for banks and borrowers and more relevant to the real world.

Dec. 15, 2011 - The used clothing business is counter-cyclical and counter-intuitive because just when you think people would be hanging on to the clothes they have, they're donating even more to the charities that put them to use here or, increasingly, overseas. Jon Harvey is head of Central States Used Clothing, one of the behind-the-scenes resources in the charitable used clothing donation business. It turns out that used shoes can save the life of a kid in Kenya.

Dec. 1, 2011 - With huge numbers of people unemployed and states strapped for cash, food insecurity - wondering where your family's next meal is coming from - is a growing concern. Panera Bread, whose 1,500 bread-cafe stores are scattered throughout the country, is exploring one solution to the problem with its Panera Cares stores - part of a growing movement of community cafes that are very different from the traditional "soup kitchen."

Nov. 17, 2011 - Women in the U.S., Afghanistan and Rwanda have "similar obstacles and we have similar solutions," says Terry Neese, Ph.D., and she ought to know. She helps women in all three countries overcome their obstacles by providing solutions - such as advising them to get to know your elected officials, before you need their help. Using a university-based approach, Neese's graduates include a member of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and numerous successful women entrepreneurs.

Nov. 3, 2011 - You don't hear much about streetlights. They're just sort of 'there' - unless they're burned out, an increasingly common situation in these days of strapped municipal budgets. Often, street lighting departments are encouraged not to fix the lights in order to save not only on the costs of replacing them, but also because a burned out light uses no electricity, another budget drain. New developments in LED lighting (the kind of lights you see more of in taillights of new cars and other places) are making their way to the streets - and to a warm spot in the hearts of municipal finance managers.

Oct. 20, 2011 - There's color all around you - in your car, your office, and down the health and beauty aisles of Target and other stores. If you don't pay attention to the fact that much of that color is in a variety of plastic parts then Uniform Color Co. has most likely done another successful job.

Oct. 6, 2011 - Even if your "fleet" is just one pickup truck you might well want to look into finding a way to have it converted to run on propane autogas. It runs cleaner than conventional fuels, the range is similar, there is less wear-and-tear on the engine and a lot less pain in the pocketbook when you fill it up. Large fleets such as Frito Lay are switching, as are municipalities and school districts.

Sept. 29, 2011 - We've all been there. There's a crunch at the office and we're dead tired - so we grab some junk food and soldier on-¦ adding even more pounds to our all-too-often sedentary bods. The FruitGuys have an alternative - a healthy alternative - and they may be heading to your office to share it with you.

Sept. 15, 2011 - Global climate change is a reality that will affect more than the weather and sea levels. It may well cause social disruption in countries that have reduced water and food supplies and growing populations. For that reason, among others, the defense establishment is looking at potential changes in the way it provides for our safety at home and abroad.