Scientific Opinion Poll: Infrastructure Investment is Important to Small Business Success

For Immediate Release: 
Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Small business owners say robust federal investment in infrastructure programs is critical to their businesses, strongly favor broadband access in rural communities

Washington, DC—A scientific opinion poll released today found small business owners view infrastructure spending as important to the success of their business and would like to see a variety of sectors included in any congressional spending package, including high-speed broadband for rural communities.

The survey, conducted by Chesapeake Beach Consulting on behalf of Small Business Majority, found  55 percent of small business owners believe robust investment in our nation’s infrastructure is crucial to their business. What’s more, small business owners feel strongly that a wide variety of projects should be funded by any infrastructure bill passed by Congress, including schools, hospitals, energy infrastructure, rails systems, and ports and waterways. There was particularly high support (96 percent) for funding highways, roads and bridges.

“Investment in our nation’s infrastructure is an investment in America, pure and simple,” said Walt Rowen, president of Susquehanna Glass Co. in Columbia, Pa. “Not only would this benefit businesses like mine that rely on the shipping industry and well-maintained roads, it would create new opportunities for small businesses. What’s more, nearly 60,000 of our country’s bridges are failing. This is especially apparent in Pennsylvania, where we have the third-largest number of bridges in the United States (25,000), and we are second in the nation in the number of bridges classified as ‘structurally deficient.’ Congress must take the needs of small business owners into account when addressing these problems.”

Additionally, the poll found a plurality of 44 percent of small business owners favor a congressional proposal for $1 trillion in public spending over 10 years, compared to 39 percent who support another proposal to spend $200 billion over 10 years. A majority agree that the responsibility for funding infrastructure projects should fall to the federal government, rather than state and local governments.

The poll also found 7 in 10 small business owners feel it’s important for Congress to fund high-speed broadband infrastructure projects, and 73 percent agree that any national infrastructure spending should include substantial investment to expand broadband access in rural areas.

“No matter what type of industry they’re in America’s small firms depend on this country’s infrastructure, but much of that infrastructure is badly in need of repair or upgrade,” said Small Business Majority Founder & CEO John Arensmeyer. “This poll makes clear what small business owners prioritize in terms of infrastructure work, and Congress should consider small business attitudes as it crafts future legislation to fund projects modernizing our nation’s roads, bridges, broadband internet and other needs.”

The survey reflects interviews of 500 small business owners nationwide with 1-100 employees. It has a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percent.

 

About Small Business Majority

Small Business Majority was founded and is run by small business owners to ensure America’s entrepreneurs are a key part of a thriving and inclusive economy. We actively engage our network of more than 58,000 small business owners in support of public policy solutions and deliver information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about key issues impacting small businesses and freelancers. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

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