Small businesses need help

Editor:

Our small businesses have struggled through a very difficult year (and several months). Federal programs provided needed support that allowed many of these businesses to survive the hard times.

As we begin to emerge from the worst of the pandemic, those supports are coming to an end. The hope is that businesses will see a return to a pre-pandemic level of customer traffic. Even though consumers are starting to venture forth, the projected activity is expected to be 60% to 70% of pre-pandemic levels.

This will not be sustainable for many of our small businesses.

President Biden has endorsed a bipartisan deal on an infrastructure proposal, which would pump millions of dollars into every corner of America, including Henry County. When infrastructure projects are funded, workers are hired. Then those workers buy groceries, take their families to a restaurant, purchase clothes, pay for a haircut.

Every dollar added to the local economy, turns over seven times, supporting our local business owners in Mt. Pleasant, Wayland, Winfield, New London, Salem, Hillsboro, Olds, Swedesburg and Coppock.

That could mean the difference between a thriving business and another closure — another empty storefront.

Henry County Democrats urge you to contact Sens. Grassley and Ernst and Rep. Miller-Meeks and call on them to put our small businesses ahead of partisan politics.

If they truly support bipartisanship, then they should support the proposal to strengthen our community.

Jeff Fager, Chair

Henry County Democrats

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