Firms owned by minorities are twice as likely to export as non-minority firms.

The average payroll per employee for non-minority firms was $35,000 in 2007.

Minority-owned firms are less likely to receive loans than non-minority owned firms regardless of firm size.

In contrast, the total number of non-minority firms increased by 9% between 2002 and 2007and their receipts rose 21%.

In 2002, average gross receipts of minority-owned firms were about $167,000 compared to $439,000 for non-minority firms.

Minority firms averaged $29,879 in external debt compared with $36,777 for non-minority firms.

During the same period, job growth for non-minority owned firms was less than 1 percent.

Minority-owned firms are less likely to receive loans than non-minority owned firms.

This compares to 17 percent for non-minority firms.

New rules make it easier for non-minority firms to participate by proving their social disadvantage.