Page 18 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL

C. TODAY
New Poll Shows Small Businesses
Hopeful as Pandemic Recovery
Accelerates
By THADDEUS SWANEK
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The Q2 2021 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of
Commerce Small Business Index (SBI), released
this week, finds that as more Americans receive
the COVID-19 vaccine, states lift restrictions, and restrictions due to increased vaccinations means
businesses continue to reopen, a majority (65%) of
small business owners are more optimistic that the
worst of the pandemic is over.
According to the poll taken April 21 – May 6, the
dominant emotion small business owners are
feeling about their current operating strategy is
“hopeful” (44%). Thirty-one percent say they are
“comfortable” and 24% say they are “concerned,”
rounding out the top three current feelings.
“Small businesses are seeing real reasons for
optimism this quarter and we’re seeing that
15 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
reflected in the data,” said Tom Sullivan, vice
president of small business policy at the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce. “The easing of capacity
more small businesses are welcoming more
customers. Increased foot traffic equates to
economic growth and that is moving our country’s
recovery forward.”
Small businesses are very clear on what will
help their businesses thrive: both easing COVID
restrictions and more vaccinations. Small
businesses say that easing COVID-19 restrictions
(29%) and ramping up vaccinations in their area
(28%) are the two biggest keys to their success in
the remainder of 2021.