MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Small Business Owner Available to Discuss Impact of Partial Government Shutdown
With a partial government shutdown looming, Mike Brey, who owns Hobby Works in Maryland and is a member of Small Business Majority’s Small Business Council, is available to discuss the impact the shutdown would have on his retail business and other local business owners. In a statement, Brey said:
“If the federal government enters a partial shutdown this week, the blame for that misstep will lay firmly on the shoulders of President Trump and his allies who care more about appeasing their base than looking out for the millions of American small businesses that are badly damaged by government shutdowns.
As the owner of an independent retail store, I know the negative impact government shutdowns have all too well. In fact, sales at my business fell more than 10 percent in late 2013 and plummeted an additional 17 percent in early 2014 as a result of the dip in consumer confidence that accompanied 2013’s 16-day government shutdown.
The 2013 shutdown eventually cost our economy about $24 billion, and small businesses bore the brunt of that slowdown. If we see another shutdown in 2018, I’m sure small business will once again take the biggest hit. I implore President Trump to protect small businesses from economic chaos by fully funding the U.S. government.”
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to ensure America’s entrepreneurs are a key part of a thriving and inclusive economy. We actively engage our network of more than 58,000 small business owners in support of public policy solutions and deliver information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.