Small businesses are hopeful that shipping bottlenecks may begin to ease after President Joe Biden announced a new initiative that will see the congested port of Los Angeles run “24/7.” But owners and experts warn that the ports are just one part of the supply chain logjam.
“This supply chain crisis is hurting businesses and consumers alike, leading to inflation and shortages of key supplies,” said Suzanne Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which participated in meetings today with the White House to address these issues, in a statement. “Coupled with massive labor shortages, this is a major threat to our fragile economic recovery and long-term competitiveness.
“I'm thrilled that the White House is paying attention,” she said. “I think any time you can unstick what's stuck and cause things to flow more freely without as much delay, that affects all of us in a positive way.” There are not enough truckers to bring all the goods to shelves, as demand spiked and drivers took early retirement or sat out the boom due to concerns about contracting the coronavirus.
Even when a cargo container loaded up with their supplies is removed from a ship, it can remain lost in a labyrinth of stacked containers at a port for months, said William Weimer, vice president and general counsel of Phantom Fireworks. The industry welcomed the news from the administration.
These are the same larger companies that small businesses have supported by voting for who the big guys told them to vote for.
It's not by accident. Look at the businesses that were allowed to stay open and packed with customers while your locally owned yarn store or gym owner faced jail.