National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns McVea told WWL’s Tommy Tucker that business owners took a double whammy hit from Hurricane Ida. It’s exacerbated the labor crunch, and led to weeks without revenue for some.
“We already had a labor shortage and now you have folks who can’t get to work because they have no home, and don’t want to go to work because they have no home,” said Starns.
The unemployment rate did decline in Louisiana for August, down to 6.2 percent, but the inability of business owners to find workers suggests much of that decline is representative of people just leaving the workforce.
McVea said business owners next big fight is with their insurance companies over potential coverage for lost revenue and damages.
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“Being closed down, not having power, not being able to get back open, losing inventory, especially in the restaurant sector,” said McVea.