Supply chain issues are a tremendous concern for the small business community especially as the holiday season approaches.
“Small businesses are just having a tremendously difficult time getting the supplies that they need to run their business, and, of course, this is even more concerning with the holiday season approaching,” said Elliot Richardson, president of the Small Business Advocacy Council in Chicago.
He said the supply-chain problems are impacting all kinds of retailers.
“We heard a lot about it from restaurants. From folks who sell T-shirts. From embroidery businesses. You know, really, from businesses who are consumer-facing who need to serve food, get product out to their customers,” Richardson said.
Even business owners who don’t have physical storefronts but rely on imports to make their products here are having a tough time.
Small Business Advocacy Council's Elliot Richardson discusses this with WBEZ on both audio and in print here: https://bit.ly/3nOGzMX
The Delta Variant and the Small Business Community
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…
The Back to Business Grant Program
Supporting Struggling Small Businesses The pandemic and Covid-19 mitigations began inflicting immense damage to many small businesses in March of 2020. Thousands of small businesses initially applied for Illinois Business Interruption Grants. While these grants helped some small businesses, approximately 80% of eligible small businesses which applied were not awarded a grant. Subsequently, Illinois received…
SBAC Advocacy Newsletter 8.13.21
Dear Small Business Advocates, We understand that the Delta variant is causing increasing concern and uncertainty for the small business community. Rest assured, we will continue fighting for policies that proactively address the challenges presented by the resurgence of the pandemic. Click on the link below to read more on our work on: Back to…
