New Poll Shows Michigan Small Businesses Hit Hard by Extreme Weather, Nearly 1 in 5 Have Laid Off Workers

A scientific opinion poll Small Business Majority released today shows Michigan small employers have experienced a significant financial impact due to extreme weather, with more than four in 10 temporarily shutting their doors and nearly 1 in 5 having to lay off workers.

The poll, conducted Feb. 7-10, 2014 by Public Policy Polling on behalf of Small Business Majority, found more than four in 10 small businesses have been personally impacted by extreme weather, and a staggering 92 percent of those businesses say they̢??‰?ve experienced a ̢???significant̢???? financial impact because of it. More than four in 10 small business owners report they̢??‰?ve experienced damages between $5,000 and $25,000. What̢??‰?s more, nearly 1 in 5 Michigan small business owners had to lay off workers due to extreme weather and 44 percent have had to close their business for up to a week, with some closing for as long as 14 to 30 days.

̢???Just in the past few months, I̢??‰?ve experienced about $8,500 in damages because of extreme weather,̢???? said Jonathan Tobias, owner of Michigan Green Cabs in Wixom. ̢???I̢??‰?ve been a business owner in Michigan for some time now, and while you expect snow storms it̢??‰?s clear the weather is getting more intense. I̢??‰?m getting more and more concerned about the economic impact of these events.̢????

It comes as no surprise that the majority (57 percent) of Michigan small business owners believe climate change and extreme weather are an urgent problem that can disrupt the economy and hurt small businesses, and they support clean energy policies aimed at lessening the impacts of climate change and that benefit their bottom lines. A 57 percent majority agree with Gov. Rick Snyder̢??‰?s recent remarks that Michigan needs a strong clean energy policy that would help eliminate energy waste and replace coal with renewable energy sources to meet the state̢??‰?s energy needs, and support federal legislation that would promote energy conservation and cut waste. Another 59 percent agree the expanded use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can have economic benefits for small business owners by creating new business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Lastly, 50 percent believe implementation of clean energy policies such as the Clean Air Act can help small businesses improve their bottom lines by spurring technological innovation to meet clean air standards, creating new industries and stimulating demand for services.

While climate change and extreme weather events have sparked partisan debate, it̢??‰?s important to note that Michigan small business owners don̢??‰?t see this issue through an ideological lens. The political breakdown of the poll was varied, with 38 percent identifying as Republican, 20 percent as Democrat and 41 percent as independent.

̢???Climate change and extreme weather have been touching an increasing number of small employers, and with nearly 1 in 5 owners saying they̢??‰?ve had to lay off employees, it̢??‰?s time to sit up and take notice,̢???? said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority. ̢???Policymakers should embrace smart clean energy policies that can help mitigate climate change and prompt innovation̢??‰۝which would create opportunities for small businesses, boost the economy and help address some of the economic uncertainty we̢??‰?re experiencing today̢??‰۝all while addressing this growing problem of extreme weather wrecking havoc on our primary job creators.̢????

For the full poll report, please visit: http://www.smallbusinessmajority.org/small-business-research/clean-energy/mi-extreme-weather-poll.php

To listen to the press call, click here.