By : Matt de Nesnera
Source : http://www.kionrightnow.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Many small businesses are eager to turn the page on what has been a tough financial year, hoping that a new year and clean slate will bring the promise of growth and improvement.
Continued stresses in Europe, along with a sluggish economy back home, will worry market watchers long after the new year celebrations end. But John Lewis, who owns three businesses in Salinas, including the Glass Guru and Lewis Builders, said he predicts business will be "slightly better than flat" next year.
These days, any growth feels like cause to celebrate. Lewis said the last quarter of 2011 has been better than the rest of the year, and he expects that trend to continue. He currently employs 13 people, and hopes to add at least one or two new positions to his team in 2012.
But Lewis's optimism is tempered by Congress's inability to find compromise, as well as new regulations that affect small businesses and the industries that support them.
"For example, here in Salinas, the homes that we work on are in the agriculture industry. From the EPA and other federal agencies, they're getting more and more regulations that are giving them the inability to grow," said Lewis.
Across the country, some members of the business community have warned legislators and the president that regulations would hamper their ability to help lead the nation out of the economic doldrums. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses employ roughly half the private workforce, so any recovery will be critically dependent on their growth.
Earlier this year, Lewis expressed concern about partisan politics when the government was brought to the brink of default during the debt ceiling debate. 2012 will be a major year politically, and Lewis said the heated rhetoric in the presidential race is already having an effect.
"Exaggerating small business challenges and that sort of thing, it's just painting a worse picture than it really is," said Lewis. Lewis added that the federal government has made strides to encourage lending, but he said that needs to be the focus.
With new uncertainty surrounding a deal extending the payroll tax cut and congressional leaders seemingly unable to find any common ground, the year on the calendar will change –- but some things will likely remain all too familiar.
Source : http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/16353240/small-business-owners-look-ahead-to-new-year
Source : http://www.kionrightnow.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Many small businesses are eager to turn the page on what has been a tough financial year, hoping that a new year and clean slate will bring the promise of growth and improvement.
Continued stresses in Europe, along with a sluggish economy back home, will worry market watchers long after the new year celebrations end. But John Lewis, who owns three businesses in Salinas, including the Glass Guru and Lewis Builders, said he predicts business will be "slightly better than flat" next year.
These days, any growth feels like cause to celebrate. Lewis said the last quarter of 2011 has been better than the rest of the year, and he expects that trend to continue. He currently employs 13 people, and hopes to add at least one or two new positions to his team in 2012.
But Lewis's optimism is tempered by Congress's inability to find compromise, as well as new regulations that affect small businesses and the industries that support them.
"For example, here in Salinas, the homes that we work on are in the agriculture industry. From the EPA and other federal agencies, they're getting more and more regulations that are giving them the inability to grow," said Lewis.
Across the country, some members of the business community have warned legislators and the president that regulations would hamper their ability to help lead the nation out of the economic doldrums. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses employ roughly half the private workforce, so any recovery will be critically dependent on their growth.
Earlier this year, Lewis expressed concern about partisan politics when the government was brought to the brink of default during the debt ceiling debate. 2012 will be a major year politically, and Lewis said the heated rhetoric in the presidential race is already having an effect.
"Exaggerating small business challenges and that sort of thing, it's just painting a worse picture than it really is," said Lewis. Lewis added that the federal government has made strides to encourage lending, but he said that needs to be the focus.
With new uncertainty surrounding a deal extending the payroll tax cut and congressional leaders seemingly unable to find any common ground, the year on the calendar will change –- but some things will likely remain all too familiar.
Source : http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/16353240/small-business-owners-look-ahead-to-new-year
