The only publication dedicated to business in Onslow County onslowbusiness.com
May 3, 2026 Vol. 3 Issue 5
Small Business Owners Signal Growing Caution May is Small Business Month. While a small business is technically defined as a business with fewer than 500 employees, there is much more to the makeup of each small business in Onslow County, in North Carolina, and throughout the country. A small business could be a oneperson shop, a “mom and pop” store, or a 100-employee franchise. Most of Onslow County’s businesses are considered “small,” but they all make a significant impact on the area’s economy. There are just over 3,000 “employer establishments” in Onslow County, according to the US Census Bureau, and over 13,000 “nonemployer establishments,” those with no paid employees. Local concerns may focus on seasonal activity, tourism, and other matters unique to coastal businesses, but overall small businesses face the same challenges no matter where they are located. The US Chamber of Commerce published a Small Business Index for the first quarter of this year and found that “Inflation pressures, weaker economic outlook, and declining hiring and investment plans signal growing caution among small businesses nationwide.”
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Key takeaways from the study included: •
Inflation is chief concern 53% of small business owners cite inflation as their biggest challenge.
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Economic confidence weakens Only 28% say the U.S. economy is in good health, a 10-point drop from last quarter.
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Hiring and investment plans pull back Just 37% expect to increase investment and 30% plan to add staff in the next year.
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The biggest challenges facing small business owners, according to the Chamber’s study are: •
Inflation costs
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Supply chain issues
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Revenue
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Interest rates
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Access to credit/loans
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Affording employee benefits/ healthcare
The Chamber notes that “Small businesses employ nearly half the entire American workforce and represent 43.5% of America’s GDP.”
Cash-flow confidence slips
Only 20% say they are very comfortable with their cash flow, down 11 points over two quarters.
Child care is another growing concern for small businesses. See story, page 11.
Upcoming Events .. 2 After A Stroke ...... 3 Marking Milestones: Dream Vacations ... 4 Networking Opportunities ....... 5 Business Movements .......... 6 Delicate Mercantile Opens ................ 7 Lessons in Transition .......... 8 Pitch It! Onslow Voting Open ........ 9 On Being Eligible ... 10 State of the Child .. 11 Abundance and Connections ......... 12 Admin Professional of the Year ............ 13 Troubleshooting Clients ............... 14 Training Opportunities ....... 15 A New Third Space ................ 16