News from 2020
New York small-business closures could cut 3 million jobs permanently
From Empire State Today
Small businesses in New York City that struggled before the COVID-19 pandemic have arrived at the brink of permanent closure with no relief in sight for them or their landlords.
Business spending increases in June; still down from a year ago due to COVID-19
From Business Daily
Business spending in June has risen slightly since May, according to an analysis by Cortera, CNBC reported.
Pensacola News Journal: Escambia businesses have trouble filling jobs despite high unemployment
From Pensacola Times
Unemployment in Escambia County currently is almost 12% but that isn't helping area businesses fill open job slots, the Pensacola News Journal recently reported.
Texas bars battle to survive; Houston manager says she reopen safely if governor gives OK
From Houston Republic
Texas bars are struggling to survive during the second shutdown due to the coronavirus and one manager said her bar and others should be allowed to reopen and can rework their floor plans to ensure customers’ safety.
Downtown Houston beer garden still closed to dine-in customers following governor's abrupt, unwritten order
From Houston Republic
Downtown Houston beer garden still closed to dine-in customers following governor's abrupt, unwritten order
Texas Public Policy Foundation report analyzes Rehire America Workplace Recovery Act
From Business Daily
Americans can expect $1.4 trillion in economic output and to keep their jobs if the Rehire America Workplace Recovery Act is implemented
LendingTree survey: 5% of New York small business owners report no cash on hand
From Empire State Today
New York was one of the nation's four large metro areas in which at least 5 percent of small business owners reported they had no cash on hand during a one-week period in June, according to a LendingTree survey released earlier this month.
Texas bars open, defy governor's orders
From Ft Worth Times
Nearly 800 Texas bars opened in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order shutting them down due to COVID-19, and they had safety protocols in place to show that they can operate safely.
Yelp says the majority of temporarily closed businesses are now permanently closed
From Golden State Today
Yelp reported that 55 percent of businesses previously listed as temporarily closed due to COVID-19 are now marked as permanently closed, according to Forbes.
CNBC: States with higher COVID-19 cases see decrease in small business employees
From PHX Reporter
Six U.S. states have seen the number of employees returning to work at small businesses decline by at least 5% from June to July due to the resurgence of COVID-19, CNBC reported.
AP: New jobless claims worsen for first time since March
From Business Daily
For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment figures actually regressed and increased up to 1.4 million weekly jobless claims, according to a recent Associated Press news story.
Popular Fort Worth eatery closes, blames COVID-19 politics by county, city officials
From Ft Worth Times
Buffalo West co-owner doesn’t like losing, feels sense of failure because restaurant didn’t survive pandemic
GoFundMe page breathes new life into COVID-starved Houston hot sauce shop
From Business Daily
For James Beck, the owner of a specialty grocery store in Houston, the hardest part of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the ever-changing regulations.
San Antonio distillery owner wants Abbott to ease 'bar' restrictions for distilleries, breweries
From Lone Star Standard
The thought that distilleries or breweries could permanently close due to COVID-19 restrictions saddens the owner of Ranger Creek Brewing and Distillery.
Texas economist explains benefits of Trump's executive orders for COVID-19 unemployment relief
From Lone Star Standard
President Donald J. Trump recently signed four executive actions in response to a congressional stalemate on the next round of COVID-19 relief, drawing praise from a Texas economist.
Pandemic's economic impact pushing Austin's music scene to the brink
From Austin News
Austin businesses are facing permanent impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, with a recent survey showing that 90% of all of the city's live music venues will likely close by the fall if no economic changes are made.
Without federal aid, cafe turns to Chelsea Business Foundation
From Bean Town Times
When Jenny Camacho applied for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), she didn’t expect to be turned away.