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Conan Knoll
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831-524-6764

Small Business Group: American Rescue Plan has helped with substantial economic progress in support of Main Street, still more work to do 

Statement by Small Business for America’s Future Senior Advisor Rhett Buttle on the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan and its impact on small business

Washington, D.C., March 11, 2022—“A year ago today, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law and the impact it has had on small business is clear. The Covid-19 pandemic delivered the biggest shock to small businesses in our lifetime, but the support of programs in the ARP like Paycheck Protection Program funding, Small Business Administration EIDL loans, Shuttered Venue Operating Grants, Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit increases, and more, helped millions of small businesses across the country keep their doors open.

“Small Business for America’s Future regularly surveys small business owners in its network and when the pandemic began, a third of small businesses said they would only last a few months without some sort of support. There are 30 million small businesses in the country employing 61 million people. Losing a third of those businesses in a matter of months would have been devastating. It's no wonder that in the run-up to the law’s passage, our surveys found 76% of small business owners thought the American Rescue Plan would help the economy, and 72% say it would help small businesses specifically. Sixty percent of small business owners also said that relief from the AJR would primarily be used to keep employees on the job. Clearly, these programs were critical in keeping the country’s businesses going and paychecks in the mail during a time of great economic hardship and uncertainty.

“Even now, in what is hopefully the recovery phase of this pandemic, entrepreneurs want to see continued investment in the economy that will strengthen Main Street. To maximize Main Street's recovery, we must seize opportunities to enact policies that help our small business community—addressing the cost of childcare, creating paid leave programs and bringing down healthcare and drug costs chief among them. As we saw coming out of the Great Recession, this country can’t rebound unless led by small businesses. Making sure that small businesses grow is the best way to boost our economy overall.”

To request an interview with Rhett Buttle, contact Conan Knoll at (831) 524-6764 or conan@emccommunications.com. 

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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.