May 2024

Washington, D.C. (June 4, 2024)—New polling from the Job Creators Network Foundation (JCNF) reveals 26 percent of small business owners say they’ve considered moving to a different state or city that has lower taxes or less government red tape. The media has regularly reported on big companies moving from blue states to red states because of bad economic policies; this survey proves small businesses are no different.

Other takeaways from the May edition show small businesses are still struggling in the current economy. Two-thirds of small businesses–a series high–say the price increases they’re facing are more than the official reported inflation rate. And 67 percent of respondents say they are concerned economic conditions could force their businesses to close.

Meanwhile, small business owners—by a 2 to 1 margin—are going to take less time off this summer, suggesting entrepreneurs are having to work harder than ever to make ends meet. And 44 percent of small businesses agree crime has increased with only 15 percent saying it has gone down.

See the full poll here.

Elaine Parker, President of the Job Creators Network Foundation, released the following statement:

“Small businesses are more vulnerable to high taxes and costly regulatory environments compared to their large corporate counterparts. That’s why it’s no surprise that 26 percent of small businesses say they’ve considered relocating to a different state or city to chase more favorable tax rates and escape government red tape. This is an opportunity for free-market minded governors to continue making their states stand out from the crowd by implementing pro-growth policy reforms that will ignite Main Street.”