December layoffs at small companies were at their lowest rate since July 2008, but it marked the 23rd consecutive monthly retreat with 25,000 jobs eliminated. With the Obama administration focusing on small-business job creation to spur economic recovery, many businesses that are ready to expand say tighter credit standards are making it difficult to get bank loans. Alicia Lingenfelser, Stephanie Colovas and Dena Bartnicki, partners in Dallas-based construction company 4D Equipment & Services, recently told a Senate committee they could create 100 jobs through expansion into gravel and sand mining, but no bank has been willing to lend them money they need to do so.