Despite federal unemployment enhancement benefits ending last month, nearly half of small businesses surveyed across the country say they are struggling to fill job openings. National Federation of Independent Business, State Director Dawn McVea says the lack of qualified workers has been an issue for several months.
“Our members are telling us they have unfilled job openings and 49% of them told us they have unfilled job openings and it’s a 48-year high,” said McVea.
McVea says small business owners are losing confidence in the strength of the economy, which is why optimism fell among owners fell in July.
“We were doing well, things are starting to improve, owners were looking up, now we have gone backwards, we’ve slipped backwards, so that’s really unfortunate,” said McVea.
Another ongoing issue for small businesses is a disruption in the supply chain making it difficult for businesses to provide products and services in a timely manner, however.
“They do feel like the demand is there, we are getting positive feedback on that part of it, but as long as these disruptions continue, that’s going to make it harder,” said McVea.