Category: Small Businesses

‘Full Speed Ahead’: Officials React to California’s Planned Reopening

A small business watchdog is encouraging Orange County residents to support locally-owned shops in droves when California lifts its COVID-19 restrictions in June. “We’re excited about the reopening and we’re encouraging as many Californians to get out there and shop at your local toy store, restaurant, auto shop, café,” John Kabateck, California director of the National Federation of Independent…


Newport Beach Waives Business License Fees 

Newport Beach is waiving the business license fees for those that were forced by the state to close at least once during the COVID-19 pandemic. The waiver applies to about 1,850 businesses within city limits and for business license tax renewals processed between April 1 and March 31, 2022. City council unanimously approved the one-year reprieve during its March 23 meeting. “Thank you…


Businesses Hurt by Labor Shortage Due to Rich Federal Benefits

WASHINGTON—U.S. small businesses have faced an unprecedented economic disruption due to the pandemic and the subsequent government shutdowns. With the economic reopening, many business owners are now hit by another crisis, as they have trouble filling jobs. Many entrepreneurs cannot compete with the unemployment benefits offered by the federal government. Mark Owens, owner of USA Insulation and…


Federal $15 Minimum Wage Boost Would Have Huge Harmful Impact on Small Businesses: Entrepreneur, Expert

A Nebraska small business owner and an expert with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, told NTD News’ “The Nation Speaks” in a recent interview that a $15 federal minimum wage would have a major impact on many of the country’s small businesses, including forcing them to cut hours, replace human labor with automation, hitting them…


Cypress Offers Pandemic Relief Grants to Home-Based Businesses

Home-based businesses in Cypress, Calif. that suffered revenue losses as a result of the ongoing pandemic are eligible for $2,500 grants through the city. Funding will be provided to those who did not receive funds from the city’s previous Small Business Resiliency Grant program, which offered businesses financial relief if they were affected by the pandemic….


Orange County Congresswoman Entices Businesses to Modernize Ventilation Systems

Congresswoman Michelle Steel introduced new legislation March 1 that seeks to incentivize businesses to improve their ventilation systems to reduce the transmission of airborne diseases such as COVID-19. The legislation, called the Filtering and Retrofitting the Environment for Safe and Healthy Activities Indoors and Revenue (FRESH AIR) for Businesses Act, offers participating businesses the chance to get a tax credit…


‘My Income Has Dropped to Zero’: About 45 Percent of Small Businesses Risk Closure Within Months

At least 13.9 million of the nation’s small businesses are at serious risk of shuttering their doors by April 1, a recent industry report found. Forty-four percent of the country’s 31.7 million small businesses are at risk of closing by the end of the first quarter, according to small business group Alignable. Small businesses on…


‘My Income Has Dropped to Zero’: About 45% of Small Businesses Risk Closure Within Months

At least 13.9 million of the nation’s small businesses are at serious risk of shuttering their doors by April 1, a recent industry report found. Forty-four percent of the country’s 31.7 million small businesses are at risk of closing by the end of the first quarter, according to small business group Alignable. Small businesses on…


Proposed Outdoor Shopping Hub Could Help Westminster Reboot its Economy  

Westminster’s Little Saigon neighborhood could soon be home to a new initiative officials hope will lead the city to an economic rebound. The city wants to turn part of the area into an outdoor shopping and dining hub that could help struggling local businesses grow sales. Stores and eateries would be allowed to use the…


Lawmaker Says ‘We Don’t Want’ Small Businesses That Can’t Pay $15 Minimum Wage

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Sunday that, while he’s “all for” small businesses, those that can’t afford to pay their employees $15 an hour are essentially undesirable. Khanna made the remarks in an interview on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” in response to a question about how hard it might be for many small businesses to afford…