Small businesses make up 99 percent of all U.S. businesses, but the pandemic has forced about one-third of them to temporarily or permanently close. To stay afloat, many small businesses have had to find new, alternate ways to reach consumers across the globe, including shifting from brick-and-mortar retail to increased online engagement.
From finding skilled talent to navigating the shifting landscape of federal assistance, what are the factors that can help small businesses grow and thrive? With e-commerce spending up more than 30 percent in 2020, what is the future outlook of digital retail? And what lessons have been learned from the pandemic that could influence future policy?
The Hill will convene policymakers, small business owners, and economic experts for a deep dive into modern small businesses and what the future holds for business owners across America.