Small businesses account for more than 70 percent of Italy's gross domestic product. But they haven't been growing. One example is the country's famed accordion industry, which has enjoyed a resurgence — but also wants to stay small.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing to build the nation's largest convention center in the New York City borough of Queens. The convention center is the centerpiece of Cuomo's plan to revive the state's economy. His choice to build the center is an Asia-based conglomerate that specializes in casino gambling

In New Hampshire — and across the country — the economy and job-creation are ranked by voters as the most important issues. Front-runner Mitt Romney wants to shrink government. All the GOP candidates want to balance the budget and cut business and personal taxes.

A new law that went into effect Jan. 1 allows shops, cafes and restaurants to stay open 24/7, all year long, holidays included. But Italian customs can be hard to break, and opponents argue deregulated hours will create problems for small businesses.

Though President Obama may have riled Republicans with his recess appointment of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, there is bipartisan agreement on Cordray's strong qualifications. Host Scott Simon talks with New York Times columnist Joe Nocera about what's ahead for Cordray.

Volkswagen has come a long way since it tried to market cars to Americans with the "Fahrvergnugen" slogan. The company has adapted to the U.S. market with bigger, less quirky cars. It seems to have paid off, as sales rose last year in the U.S. — but the company is set on becoming No. 1 worldwide.

Kodak developed the first, 13-pound digital camera in 1975. But it was never really able to capitalize on the product it had invented and its digital strategy was a bust, analysts say. Now, it's trying to sell thousands of patents for the technology behind digital photography to stave off bankruptcy.