Concern over virus impact growing

Fear compounds as sales slow, supply networks falter and workers fall ill

What a difference 10 days can make.

Between March 10 and March 20, the coronavirus crisis across the nation, as well as across Pennsylvania, grew exponentially. So, too, has its impact on the small business community.

A nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Research Center over that span shows the growing effect COVID-19 has had on small businesses, and the growing fears small business owners have about what’s coming down the road.

“The magnitude of disruption now on the small business sector is profound,” a statement accompanying the survey results said.

The survey, which includes responses from 700 businesses with between seven and 360 employees, shows a sharp jump in the number of small business owners who say they’ve been negatively impacted by the coronavirus. That number jumped from 23% on March 10 to 76% on March 20.

The most common negative impact for small businesses has been has been slower sales (54%).

Other negative impacts include supply distributions (23%) and sick employees (9%).

Of those businesses that said they have not been impacted, 77% said they anticipate being negatively impacted if the coronavirus continues to spread over the next three months.

They survey shows that more than two-thirds of small business owners are now “very concerned” about coronavirus im

pacting their business. That’s a huge jump from the 16% that said so when the question was asked on March 10.

In all, 99% of small business owners show some level of concern — very (68%), somewhat (23%) or slightly (9%) — about the impact. On March 10, 37% of those that responded to the survey said they were only “slightly concerned” and 18% said they weren’t concerned at all.

The growing level of worry has led many small business owners to start thinking about finding help. They survey says that 23% have already spoken to a lender or otherwise researched

In Pennsylvania

Gordon Denlinger, state director of NFIB in Pennsylvania, said the commonwealth more than reflects the result of the national survey.

“Pennsylvania potentially might be near the top of the affected states,” he said. “Our governor took strong and advanced actions.”

Denlinger said Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to order shut-downs of “nonlife-sustaining” businesses in the state place Pennsylvania ahead of the curve when it comes to coronavirus’ impact on businesses.

And while he said he can’t disagree with the governor’s decision and that health is always number