Risky Business

Where Do Small-Business Owners Stand on the Bailout?

By Matthew Bandyk

Posted: October 6, 2008

We won't know for several months whether or not the just-passed bailout plan will help the economy. (And even then, it's more than a bit sketchy to figure out whether it helped or hurt.)

Of course, that won't stop people from making predictions about the effects of the bailout. Put small-business owners in the "decidedly skeptical" category.

A new poll by online payroll service SurePayroll asked small-business owners around the country what they think of the plan, and the result is a 50-50 split.

"The number of business owners who thought the government is doing the right thing was exactly equal to the number of business owners who thought the government was making a mistake," says SurePayroll President Michael Alter. "We are clearly a divided nation on this issue."

In addition, 51.5 percent said they thought the plan was bad for small businesses specifically.

Considering that much of the public perception of the plan is that it favors quite large businesses over other industries, it's slightly surprising that the reaction is as divided as it is.

Small Business Bailouts

I'm a small business owner of two companies for 12 years. In total, we employ approximately 35 employees in Washington State. At this time, I'm considering selling or closing the business because of the tough times. We've experienced L & I rate increase, minimum wage increases (9% increase $8.55 hour highest in USA), economic destruction and record weather snowfalls that has disabled our ability to get to our customers as well our customers to get to us. One business is coffee stands and the other is heating and air conditioning. So they are both very different industries but have both been slammed by the economical downturns. As we are experiencing this destruction,the government raises minimun wage 9% and L & I rates. They indicated this was vote over 10 years ago, which is true but make an exception at this time so we can breath My prices are accurate, we run our busiesses very lean and live very lean. Why can we not get a break!! Small business owners are what make America - so help us out now!!!

katie of @ Dec 30, 2008 06:33:25 AM

How is Obama going to help small businesses?

Where does our next president stand on this issue? Additionally, what about congress? With the bailout favored by the next majority leadership in our country I would like to know where small businesses stand in the future.

Justin of MA @ Oct 07, 2008 16:02:03 PM

small business needs help!

I have a small business with 8 employees. We manufacture wallboard paper tape in New Jersey. Naturally the construction downturn has had its effects, however this issue for us is capitalization at reasonable rates. If the SBA were easy to deal with and gave more scrutiny to the lenders it works with, it would be best for all. Many lenders working with the SBA gouge the owner with fees and interest rates, even though they have a gov't. guarantee for the majority of the loan. So who gets the real benefit? Bankers.The Chinese government gave their factories, until recently, a rebate (some as high as 30%)to encourage export sales. Imagine what that type of stimulus could do to get business moving towards retooling and redefining our labor infrastructure in the U.S.!

I am not a women or lassified as a minority so my qualifications and chances for assistance are slim.

My company has multiple patent pending products that, given sufficient funding for R & D and equipment, this company could revolutionize installation of drywall for both commercial and residential construction. My product can save money, increase productivity, and speed the construction process. Think Fema, Ike and Katrina. More importantly,I could provide employment to at least three times the number of people.I wish to be able to offer benefits to my employees, but with restricted cash flow- How can I think to provide healthcare?

Without funding, I have fed the business using my own resources, to the point where I have shattered my credit score, dessimated my lifestyle and have had to layoff workers in the pursuit of the American dream.

Trying to find potential investors at this time is a nightmare

Orders and customers are available in this climate... but loans and lines of credit to keep the fires stoked are not.Where do I go for help? Do I shut the door?

Lee Goldman of NJ @ Oct 07, 2008 12:14:26 PM

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Risky Business

Risky Business

Matt Bandyk, a reporter for U.S. News, explores capitalism from where it all begins, with the entrepreneur, whose risk taking and experimentation provide the roots from which the rest of the economy grows. As much courage as it takes to create one's own business, even the entrepreneur needs some help, and this blog will look at news, trends, and practical advice for starting and running a small business.

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