The economy is making budgets for small businesses even tighter, but with Stimulus dollars now helping growth, and an economy looking to move back up, is now a good time to give starting your own small business a shot?

The good news for small businesses is the stimulus is helping free up money for loans, cutting fees, and soon, plans to help owners re–finance debt.

And though starting a business is a tricky endeavor, experts say if you've been thinking about it, now's the best time to open your doors for business.

Pat Berry works as a loan officer with Small Business Finance Corporation, and says the Recovery Act is finally getting dollars through.

She says although it's still not a great financial environment, stimulus money is beginning to trickle down.

She says of the two most common types of small business loans, the government has cut fees on 7 (a) loans completely, and significantly slashed fees on 504 loans.

It has also poured more than $700,000,000 back into the Small Business Administration to help, and in upcoming weeks, plans to help companies refinance debt.

Chris Reddin with the Business Incubator Center says if you've been thinking about it, now is the best time to get your feet wet, “the downturn is the best time to start a new business”.

She says planning is key in order to get banks to take you seriously, and Berry says it won't cover everything, but loan money is still out there.

Reddin says launching a successful business is about knowing what you're getting into, and even if you’re not ready to start tomorrow, it is a good time to prepare.

The Business Incubator Center has classes to help you draw up your own business plan.

Reddin says although statistics show 80% of businesses fail within the first five years, those that have come through the Incubator have an 80% success rate.

For more information on the Business Incubator Center, visit www.gjincubator.org