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The Delta Variant and the Small Business Community

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The small business community was increasingly optimistic this summer. The pandemic was waning, restrictions disappeared and customers were coming back in droves.

Vaccinated individuals gathered without masks. While many businesses struggled to find qualified employees, their prospects for recovery looked good.

Then the Delta variant came and COVID cases started to significantly increase. That optimism that defined the small business community has been replaced with concern and uncertainty.

How significant will the spike in Illinois be? What, if any, mitigation measures will be put into place? How will the resurgence of the pandemic impact consumer behavior?

The trajectory of the pandemic may shift again before this article is published. It seems the only thing that remains certain during this pandemic is uncertainty.

Policymakers must be ready to support the small business community should the new surge threaten the viability of small businesses. This includes promptly getting Back to Business grants to as many struggling small businesses as possible. Policymakers have allocated about $300 million for these grants. The onset of the Delta variant makes it crucial to swiftly provide this funding to as many small businesses as possible.

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Insights Archive

Press Release – Chicago’s Cut Red Tape Agenda

By growthzone | March 2, 2021

Chicago’s Cut Red Tape Agenda March 2, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Elliot Richardson // 847-380-4900 // Elliot@sbacil.org Cutting unnecessary and burdensome red tape will help Chicago’s small and local businesses recover from the pandemic.  Much of this red tape should have been eliminated long ago.    The Small Business Advocacy Council and a coalition of…

New PPP Rules for Sole Proprietors and Businesses with 20 or fewer Employees

By growthzone | February 25, 2021

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ACTION CALL! Legislation To Get People Back To Work

By growthzone | February 19, 2021

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