Replacement, Maintenance Top Small Business Spending

ByJohn S. McClenahen During the last 12 months, 47% of small-business owners in the U.S. put the largest share of their business investments into replacement and maintenance, reveal results of a poll from the National Federation of Independent Business, Washington, D.C. Some 23% dedicated the largest share to expanding into new businesses while 21% spent most on expanding existing products or services. And 4% directed their largest business investments to improve safety or the environment. Thirty-five percent of those polled said they invested in a technology or process during the last 12 months that was new to their business. Eleven percent invested in another, privately held business during the last 12 months.