NFIB: Michigan small businesses will suffer under extended pause
LANSING, Mich. — The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) says it’s not happy with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services decision to extend the current three week pause by another 12 days. The order will keep existing measures in place through December 20.
NFIB State Director Charlie Owens said nationally, one-in-five small business owners report that they will have to close their doors if current economic conditions do not improve over the next six months. Owens said consumers should have the right to choose whether they visit an establishment or not.
“They should be able to go to an establishment whether it’s a restaurant or bowling alley or whatever it is an know that that owner has taken the steps necessary to protect their health as well as their employees,” said Owns. “I think we talk about science and that’s fine, but we need to know what those metrics are so that these industries can try to meet those and stay open,” he said.
Owens said that it has been eight months since the onset of the pandemic and many small businesses are still struggling to survive.
The NFIB represents approximately 10,000 Michigan businesses.
