In Search of a Level Playing Field: What Leaders of Small Business Organizations Think about Economic Development Incentives

Carolyn Fryberger et al.

Good Jobs First released their findings from a national survey measuring small business owners’ satisfaction with state economic development subsidies and policies. Respondents reported that their most pressing need—access to capital—was not being addressed and cited government support for linked deposits in community banks, direct lending, and legislation to allow crowd-sourced funding as policy opportunities. Many also noted that investment in workforce development, education, and transportation are tremendous supports for small businesses “Customers coming through the door is the single biggest thing that builds a business, not a tax break,” the report states. “Infrastructure that gets foot traffic in the door is a better investment than tax breaks.”

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