OPINION:
Gene Marks’ op-ed, “Beware of all those small business ’surveys.’ They’re biased and partisan” (Web, May 27), wrongly classifies all small-business surveys as partisan and doesn’t seem to recognize that the small-business community is not monolithic.
With recent small improvements in access to federal loan and grant opportunities, some small businesses across the country may be optimistic about their future. However, limited access to these resources, particularly for small-business owners of color, has frustrated many owners. Most of these same small businesses are still trying to recover from the financial toll of the COVID-19 crisis; this is a fact, not an ideological belief.
Members from our robust network of more than 85,000 small businesses across the country have shared stories of the hurdles they’ve endured when trying to access capital from traditional banking institutions to keep their businesses afloat. It should not be surprising that these business owners then express their support for additional federal relief or policies that could give a boost to their business.
While Mr. Marks may turn his nose up at small-business surveying, these numbers are important and deserve consideration. We will continue to collect the opinions of small businesses across the country because we value their input on how we can ensure opportunity and prosperity for everyone and help get our economy back on track. Our surveys capture the real problems this community is facing, and we are working to make sure their voices are heard.
JOHN ARENSMEYER
Founder & CEO, Small Business Majority
Washington
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