Business owners say they may close if coronavirus measures continue, SIU survey finds
Some southern Illinois business owners believe they may be at risk of permanent closure within months if “disruption” from the coronavirus pandemic continues, according to a Southern Illinois University Carbondale survey.
The SIU survey on how the coronavirus is affecting local economies received responses from 224 business owners largely in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry and Williamson counties.
The survey asked them “if business disruption continues at the current rate, how soon will your business be at risk of closing permanently?” In response, 40% said within one to five months.
Under a statewide economic plan, businesses will gradually reopen from a monthslong shutdown. The goal of shuttering businesses back in March was to cut down on the spread of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
And since March, revenues fell by 26% or more for about 68% of the business owners who responded to the university’s survey.
About the businesses surveyed
The business owners who responded to the survey worked in the following industries:
- Health care and social assistance
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Food services
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Finance and insurance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Construction
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Public administration
- Real estate (rental and leasing)
- Information
- Transportation and warehousing
- Utilities
- Wholesale trade
Most business owners said they worked in “other services (expect public administration).” Most also reported they had been in business for 10 years or longer.
Williamson County was where most of their businesses were located, 43%. Two business owners from St. Clair County responded.
Some business owners did not respond to all of the questions, according to the university.
