Federal Small Business Contract Goal Missed For 6th Straight Year

Main Street lost out on billions in 2011 because the U.S. government missed its goal of awarding 23 percent of all federal contract dollars to small businesses.

The Small Business Administration reported Tuesday that the federal government awarded $91.5 billion in contracts to small businesses last year, but missed its mark by $3.8 billion. Small businesses scored only 21.7 percent of the funds paid to contractors, down from 22.7 percent in 2010.

2011 marked the sixth straight year that the feds have fallen short of the target. Small businesses have missed out on at least $25.7 billion in contracts since 2006, netting the target 23 percent only three times in the last 12 years, according to CNN Money.