Sequester cuts could make it tougher for entrepreneurs to get new businesses off the ground.
The White House says sequestration would cut Small Business Administration loan guarantees by up to $900 million, and local business owners in Fayetteville say those loans are crucial for start ups to succeed.
Hannah Withers opened Fayetteville's Little Bread Company with her husband to create a community bakery with a welcoming atmosphere.
"We've always wanted to have a place like this, so we made it ourselves," she says.
Withers says at the start she had help from the SBA.
"I don't think we'd be here if we didn't have the loans from the SBA," she says.
She understands the country's need to cut costs, but says making it harder for entrepreneurs to get going is a bad idea.
"I think that the federal government needs to look at the role small businesses play in our economy," she says. "I think they're really important to quality of life, to have options on where to shop and where to eat."
According the SBA's Arkansas District Office, small businesses create two thirds of the state's net new jobs.
"I think we're a big cog in the machine of industry," Withers says. "The thought of not having independent businesses in all of our communities is really sad. I think that the individuality and uniqueness of our community is expressed through our small businesses."
Withers wants congressional leaders to consider a different path, one that doesn't block the way for future business owners.
"I think there are ways to do it that are more creative than this," she says. "I'd like to see that happen."
The White House says sequestration would cut Small Business Administration loan guarantees by up to $900 million, and local business owners in Fayetteville say those loans are crucial for start ups to succeed.
Hannah Withers opened Fayetteville's Little Bread Company with her husband to create a community bakery with a welcoming atmosphere.
"We've always wanted to have a place like this, so we made it ourselves," she says.
Withers says at the start she had help from the SBA.
"I don't think we'd be here if we didn't have the loans from the SBA," she says.
She understands the country's need to cut costs, but says making it harder for entrepreneurs to get going is a bad idea.
"I think that the federal government needs to look at the role small businesses play in our economy," she says. "I think they're really important to quality of life, to have options on where to shop and where to eat."
According the SBA's Arkansas District Office, small businesses create two thirds of the state's net new jobs.
"I think we're a big cog in the machine of industry," Withers says. "The thought of not having independent businesses in all of our communities is really sad. I think that the individuality and uniqueness of our community is expressed through our small businesses."
Withers wants congressional leaders to consider a different path, one that doesn't block the way for future business owners.
"I think there are ways to do it that are more creative than this," she says. "I'd like to see that happen."
