One Charlotte business owner opens up about what she’s facing.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is now stretching into day 42, and for small business contractors across North Carolina, the financial toll is deepening.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, $36.18 million in weekly payments to North Carolina businesses are at risk, leaving many owners anxious about how long they can stay afloat.
Christine Pitkin is the owner of Civility Localized, a Charlotte-based community engagement consulting firm. She said the uncertainty has created instability for her team and clients alike.
“Instability and even some fear — there’s some fear for the communities we work with that their voices would go unheard,” Pitkin said.
She explained that with federal projects stalled, many community-focused initiatives have slowed to a crawl.
“Those projects are not as prioritized,” Pitkin said. “We will say, ‘Hey, we want feedback on this project,’ but people are working on surviving.”
It’s not just contractors feeling the pressure. Michael Walden, an economist at NC State University, said the shutdown is beginning to show up in the broader economy.
“We’ve seen job growth slow, we’ve seen advertisements with new jobs slow,” Walden said. “Businesses are looking at this shutdown and saying, ‘I need to conserve now. I’m not spending and hiring as much.’ This is a big deal — not just for businesses and nonprofits, but for the entire economy.”
There may be some relief on the horizon. The Senate has passed legislation to reopen the government, with the House expected to vote as early as tomorrow. If approved, the bill would then head to President Trump’s desk for his signature.
Until then, many North Carolina business owners say they’re just trying to hold on.
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