FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact

Conan Knoll
conan@emccommunications.com, (831) 524-6764

Jared Thompson
jared@smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org, (260) 797-2530

National Small Business Survey Shows Support for Vaccination Efforts and Economic Investments in Infrastructure and Care Economy

Nearly three-quarters of small business owners say it is important that lawmakers the economy through infrastructure and care economy investments as relief programs expire

Washington, D.C., November 2, 2021— Small Business for America’s Future released a national survey today showing strong support among small business owners for many provisions in the Build Back Better Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill as well as government vaccination efforts. The results from 1,032 small business owners in the survey conducted between Oct. 18 -26, show that rebuilding from the pandemic remains a top priority for small business owners, and that small business owners see vaccines and investments in the economy as the key to Main Street’s recovery. 

Specifically, the survey results show:
 

• As the pandemic continues to affect millions of small businesses across the country, 74% of small business owners agree that with government programs like the Paycheck Protection Program expiring, it is important that lawmakers continue bolstering the economy by supporting policies like the infrastructure and care economy investment.
• A majority (60%) of small businesses also believe that vaccination efforts are important to ensuring a full economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with strong support (68%) for requiring vaccinations for federal government employees, health care workers and private businesses with more than 100 employees.
• 67% of small business owners agree that requiring companies with 100 or more employees to have all their employees vaccinated against COVID-19, or be tested weekly will help get more Americans back to work.
• The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is the single biggest challenge facing 44% of small business owners

“As the economic effects of the pandemic linger, it is as important as ever that our government continues to help the Main Street economy,” said Shaundell Newsome, founder of Sumnu Marketing in Las Vegas, NV, and Co-Chair of Small Business for America’s Future. “Small business owners know that our recovery hinges on the efforts to get every American vaccinated, invest in a healthy workforce, and make investments that will bolster our economy.”

The survey shows that small business owners support a broad number of policy proposals currently being debated in Congress. Findings include:

• Small business owners listed lowering healthcare and prescription drug costs as a top priority, with 73% saying it is important to their business
• A whopping 81% support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, with 66% saying the infrastructure legislation will help small businesses
• 91% support increasing investment in affordable care for aging people and people with disabilities
• 85% support guaranteeing affordable childcare for working parents 
• 87% of small business owners support the proposed provision in the reconciliation framework that would allow the Small Business Administration to make loans under $150,000 directly to small business owners who cannot get them from other lenders.
• An overwhelming majority (92%) of small business owners said if their business was looking for a loan of up to $150,000, they would consider applying for credit from the Small Business Administration
  

Finally, small business owners emphasized that lawmakers’ support of these proposals will impact their votes in next year’s midterm elections:

• 66% said they would be less likely to vote for lawmakers who oppose the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill 
• 64% said they would be less likely to vote for lawmakers who oppose the Build Back Better Act 
• 83% said lawmakers’ support for Medicare negotiation of drug prices will be important to their vote in the 2022 midterm elections (including 58% saying it is very important)

“Small business owners are clearly still feeling the economic effects of the pandemic and they want action from policymakers,” said Newsome. “This survey shows that lawmakers who don’t hear that message are likely to suffer at the ballot box.” 

View the full survey report here.

To request an interview with Shuandell Newsome, contact Jared Thompson at (260) 797-2530 or jared@smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org.

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF.