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The government shutdown is causing major problems for small businesses, with delays at federal agencies slowing operations and putting revenues at risk.

Murphy’s Naturals, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, makes mosquito and tick repellent products formulated with essential oils. The company depends on the EPA to approve product labels.

• Founder Philip Freeman, a member of the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Council, warns that the shutdown will have long-lasting effects, even after the government reopens.
• “We may not feel it right away, but the backlog that is generated by the shutdown will last long beyond when everything is cleared up and there’s no longer a shutdown,” Freeman said.

Big picture: Small business owners across the country are sharing how the shutdown is disrupting their operations and affecting communities:

• “A government shutdown directly impacts our business because several of our customers depend on stable incomes from their careers in the federal government,” said Dolakeh Gono, CEO of Dolakeh Gono Co. in Atlanta, Georgia. “When livelihoods are affected in such a manner, home repairs and projects get delayed, if not canceled.”
• “The government shutdown has significantly impacted our client flow, delaying new business filings and reducing access to essential resources,” said James Pierre, Owner of JP Vision & Services in West Palm Beach, Florida. “As a result, our ability to serve and sustain local entrepreneurs has been disrupted, threatening both short-term operations and long-term community impact.”

Why it matters: The government shutdown that lasted from December 2018 to January 2019 cost the U.S. economy $11 billion.
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What we’re doing: The U.S. Chamber is advocating for Congress and the administration to work together to end the shutdown. A well-functioning economy needs a functioning government.

Share your story: If your business is impacted by the shutdown, we want to hear from you.
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