WASHINGTON — Pushing a campaign to act without Congress, President Barack Obama will announce today two more executive actions on the economy, both of them small steps intended to give a boost to businesses. The moves cap a week in which Obama has sought to employ the power of his office as he struggles to make headway on his jobs bill on Capitol Hill.

The president is directing government agencies to shorten the time it takes for federal research to turn into commercial products in the marketplace. The goal is to help startup companies and small businesses create jobs and expand their operations.

On the other front, the president is calling for creation of a centralized online site, to be known as BusinessUSA, for companies to easily find information on federal services. The site is to be up and running within 90 days and will be designed with input from U.S. businesses.

On a larger scale, the president himself announced two other executive actions this week, one offering help for homeowners seeking to refinance at lower mortgage rates and the other allowing college students to simplify and lower their student loan payments.

The White House also issued a challenge to community health centers in a bid to help get veterans jobs.

White House aides expect more such actions in coming days.

The president is waging a campaign to show voters he is acting on jobs more than the Republicans.