Small, minority owned, and disadvantaged businesses have an advocate in Ashland Inc.

        Its foundation operates Equal Opportunity Finance Inc., which since 1970 has financed or invested in more than 100 such businesses in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Florida. The subsidiary has made more than 200 loans.

        About 70 percent of these business have succeeded, whereas only one in five small businesses survives nationally, said Donald L. Davis, vice president of Equal Opportunity Finance, which has offices in Covington and Lexington, Ky.

        “We're proud of some of the companies we've financed,” added Charles Whitehead, president of the foundation.

        In October, Intelligent Decision Solutions Inc. (IDS) announced it will use its $300,000 loan from Equal Opportunity Finance to further develop its software products geared to health and supply chain companies.

        IDS, an African-American-owned company, is based in Florence. It provides software and computer-based services.

        Mr. Whitehead said he expects the investment subsidiary will add three or four more businesses to its portfolio.

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