Fearful that there will be few ways to stem the tide of coming small business failures, both the National Federation of Independent Business and Lawton State Senator Aric Nesbitt have voiced deep disappointment in Monday’s announced extension of the 3-week “pause” in Michigan by another 12-days.
The NFIB, one of the state’s leading small business organizations, expressed disappointment in the governor’s decision to extend the current “pause” through December 20th as announced Monday afternoon.
NFIB State Director Charlie Owens says, “Promises of $100 million in state aid to the impacted businesses are appreciated, but in the context of the economic damage caused by these closings it is a drop of water in Lake Michigan.” Owens adds, “Even the more robust federal rescue loans and grants will not roll back the tide of coming small business failures and bankruptcies from the extended closures.”
Owens says that it has been eight months since the onset of the COVID-19 health crisis and many small businesses are still struggling to survive while doing everything they can to help their employees and adjust business operations.
He warns, “Nationally, one-in-five (20-percent) of small business owners report that they will have to close their doors if current economic conditions do not improve over the next six months,” adding, “As a state, conditions in Michigan are more dire due to extended closing and greater restrictions. For many small businesses, the holiday season is their whole year from a revenue perspective.”
Owens contends, “Small business does not want to exist on government handouts. They want to get their employees back to work and open their doors again.”
Meanwhile, State Sen. Aric Nesbitt from Lawton, issued the following statement Monday after Gov. Whitmer announced the state would be continuing its recent three-week shutdown for an additional 12 days:
“Gov. Whitmer has again continued the shutdown without providing small businesses the clear criteria or safety protocols necessary to reopen.
“We need to stay safe, yet people should have the opportunity to work and provide for their families. Watching small businesses continue to go bankrupt through no fault of their own is heartbreaking.”
