Granite State Times

The New Hampshire small business comeback is far stronger than the COVID-19 setback.

According to a recent survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, New Hampshire small businesses fared better than those in most other states. Just 14.9% of New Hampshire small businesses reported experiencing a “large negative effect” due to the COVID-19 crisis. Nationally, 25.2% of small businesses reported a “large negative effect.”

The Census Bureau conducted its Small Business Pulse Survey the week of June 28 to July 4 and measured the changing business conditions due to the pandemic by collecting information on small business operations and finances, requests and receipt of assistance, vaccination rates, capital expenditures and their expectations for recovery.

Of all New Hampshire small businesses in the survey, 26.3% said they experienced "little to no effect" on their overall business, which is higher than the national average of 23.8%.

According to a recent WalletHub study conducted by researchers from top U.S. universities, New Hampshire small businesses fared better than small businesses in 44 other states. Another recent WalletHub study found that New Hampshire's unemployment rebound was stronger than over three-quarters of states.

The rebound comes after a brutal year for small business owners, as they had no choice but to face COVID-19 related restrictions and closures while continuing to stay in business.

According to ABC News, the New Hampshire attorney general's office had issued fines totaling $10,000 to eight businesses for not abiding by COVID-19 restrictions that were set in place. Three of the eight fined businesses appealed the citations.

Some lawmakers have supported budget provisions that would have halted disciplinary action against business owners for not following restrictions, but Gov. Chris Sununu (R) opposed taking that course.

“We can’t claim to support law and order, then incentivize law-breaking and reward those who do not follow the rules,” Sununu told ABC News. “Rewarding the small handful who recklessly thwarted public health and safety after outreach and educational attempts is a complete disservice to the thousands of small businesses who worked tirelessly to keep their employees and customers safe while enabling our economy to stay open for business.”