A report, compiled by the New York City-based financial technology company SmartAsset, ranked counties by the percentage of total tax returns filed by small business owners and the percentage of income derived from small businesses. The study showed that Oglethorpe County has the strongest small business presence in Georgia. Shutterstock/TownNews.com Content Exchange
UsingBusiness Formationdata from the U.S. Census Bureau,SimplyBusinessbroke down the industries with the most new business applications to determine how the coronavirus has impacted small-business growth.
The state Board of Education has posted a new set of English and language arts standards and asked the public to weigh in by May 1.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 79,760- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 867Boredom and restlessness caused by the coronavirus stay-at-home orders and closures led Americans to flock to any and all of the open and accessible recreation options in 2020. That was especially true of outdoor recreational activities, which were some of the safest entertainment options. Camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, cycling, running, swimming, and other outdoor activities were all in high demand. In turn, amusement and recreation attendant jobs, as well as fitness trainer and aerobics instructor jobs, were plentiful as new businesses in these industries opened to meet increased demand. Growth in supplier businesses surged, thanks to an increased demand for outdoor and recreation equipment like kayaks and bikes, helping to further the growth of this industry
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 113,960- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 1,239The stay-at-home orders also helped to propel growth in the repair and maintenance industry. This industry includes a wide range of professions, like automotive repair and maintenance and home maintenance. This also includes painters and home improvement installation, repair, and maintenance workers. The growth in this industry was due, in large part, to a nationwide shift to remote work, which led to more people prioritizing home repairs and projects. That, coupled with the recent uptick in homeownership, led new businesses to help fill in the gaps left by the increased demand. The ongoing housing shortage also likely added to the rapid growth, as homeowners snatched up houses in all markets—and in all conditions—across the nation.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 120,120- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 1,306The social assistance industry, which includes child day care services, vocational rehabilitation services, and community housing, food, and emergency relief services, also saw an uptick in new small businesses. The growth in this industry likely occurred for a few different reasons. With millions of school districts shifting to temporary remote learning environments, there would have been an increased need for child day care services by parents balancing work and child care. Plus, the need for housing and food assistance was much higher than normal after widespread furloughs and layoffs took hold across the nation. An increase in demand for vocational rehabilitation services was almost certainly another contributor to the growth in this industry, as millions of people were in search of alternative career paths after shutdowns and job cuts became commonplace.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 142,080- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 1,544The religious, grant-making, civic, professional, and similar organizations experienced an explosion of new small-business growth recently, and much of it stems from the coronavirus. Thanks to a dwindling economy and tough job prospects, consumers placed high demand on this industry, which includes businesses that organize and promote religious activities; support various causes through grant-making; advocate various social and political causes; and promote and defend the interests of their members. There was a significant need for these types of services as millions of people struggled to make ends meet, pay bills, and keep roofs over their heads. The pandemic also caused severe social and emotional stress for the nation, which led to an uptick in demand for remote religious support. These factors led to a growth in new small businesses across this sector to help meet people’s needs during a trying time.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 184,440- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 2,005The ambulatory health care services industry—which includes offices for physicians, dentists, and health practitioners, as well as outpatient care centers, diagnostic labs, and home health care—has also had significant small-business growth, and for obvious reasons. The demand for health care has been extremely high since the start of the pandemic, especially during the early months, when there was uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus. The need for more diagnostic labs also dramatically increased thanks to widespread COVID-19 testing. Other nonpandemic-related issues, such as a rapidly aging population or a need for more telehealth options, have likely contributed to the growth of small businesses in this industry
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 221,430- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 2,407The specialty trade contractors industry consists of building construction contractors with special skills—like pouring concrete, site preparation, plumbing, painting, and electrical work—who are not responsible for the entire project. This industry has exploded with new small businesses recently, as these contractors are in high demand due to the ongoing housing shortage. Builders still can’t keep up with demand in any market, which has made this a prime time for new businesses to capitalize on the growth in the industry. Other factors, like the increased demand for contractors specializing in home remodeling projects, has also helped this industry grow at a rapid pace. The increased demand for investment properties by flippers and landlords has also contributed to the growth of new small businesses in this industry—and will almost certainly continue to help drive the trend in the future as well.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 297,620- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 3,235The shutdowns early in the pandemic had a big impact on the truck transportation industry. This industry, which specializes in providing over-the-road cargo transportation by trucks and tractor trailers, came to a halt as the sluggish economy caused consumer spending to dwindle. With the decreased demand for truckers to ferry shipments across the nation, trucking businesses closed across the nation. But things changed rapidly as the shutdowns eased, causing the demand for truckers to increase once again—and a shortage occurred. This led to an uptick in new small trucking ventures as new businesses in the truck transportation industry swooped in to help fill the void.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 301,280- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 3,275The personal and laundry services industry, which includes laundry services, pet care services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services, and dating services, has also had a significant increase in new businesses. At least some of that growth can be attributed to a high demand for dating services during the coronavirus. As social distancing rules closed bars and shuttered traditional singles spots, activity surged on dating apps. Pet care services were also in high demand as remote work led to people spending more time with their pets. In both cases, tons of new small businesses were able to capitalize on an increased demand, whether it was for dog walking, grooming, doggy day care, or digital dating.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 332,350- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 3,613There is no question that the pandemic has been rough on restaurants and bars. According to Fortune, more than 110,000 eating and drinking establishments closed in 2020, as shutdowns made it tough for businesses in this industry to make a profit or pay bills. That changed as the shutdowns eased and the demand for open bars and restaurants surged, which led to some new small businesses opening for service. But it wasn’t just the sit-down establishments that caused the uptick in new businesses. Other types of food services helped drive the increase, including mobile food services, which grew by leaps and bounds while in-person dining was closed to guests across the nation. Other types of mobile food services, like food trucks, also helped to drive the new growth, as these types of businesses were able to cater to patrons even during the shutdowns.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 349,990- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 3,804The real estate industry, which includes businesses focused on renting or leasing real estate to others; managing real estate for others; selling, buying, or renting real estate for others; and providing other real estate related services, such as appraisal services, has had some of the most significant new small-business growth. As with building construction and other related industries, much of the growth has come from low mortgage rates fueling a buying frenzy. Real estate agents are busier than ever as the pandemic exacerbated the strain on housing in the United States, particularly when it comes to rentals. Other related services, like home appraisals and inspectors, are also in high demand, as these services are necessary during the buying process. And, the ongoing demand now means that new businesses in these areas can find quick success—which has led to significant growth of new small businesses in this industry.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 444,250- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 4,829The administrative and support services industry, which provides support for the day-to-day operations of other organizations or households, has also had significant growth in small businesses. Part of the growth has been due to the increased need for employment services, which have been in demand since the start of the pandemic. After shutdowns caused mass layoffs and furloughs, millions of Americans were seeking jobs—and many turned to employment services for help. That tide has shifted recently, however, with a lack of workers to fill jobs across the nation, and now businesses are looking for innovative ways to fill open positions. This has led to an uptick in new employment service businesses. That, coupled with more demand for help around the home from remote workers—and a need for administrative services from companies struggling to fill open jobs—has led to an explosion of new small businesses in this industry.
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– Total of new businesses, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 709,440- Average number of new businesses per week, Jan. 1, 2019–Oct. 4, 2020: 7,711The professional, scientific, and technical services industry is filled with niche subsectors that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. This includes scientific research and development services, which are increasingly necessary thanks to the ongoing public health crisis. That alone has helped to drive more new small businesses to open in this industry, as scientific services have been essential to help monitor and research issues related to the coronavirus. That isn’t the only recent driver of small-business growth in this industry, however. Other factors, like the now-thriving economy, have also helped contribute to new small-business growth in this industry, as healthy economies generally cause an increased demand for specially trained services, like accountants, consultants, and other highly specialized experts. This has led to opportunities for new businesses across almost all subsegments of this industry.
