ATLANTA — Small Georgia businesses are still struggling to find workers, according to a new report by the Georgia chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Hunter Loggins, the group’s state director, says labor quality has improved slightly, but hiring challenges remain.
“The good news is the labor quality has improved slightly, but again we’re just having trouble finding folks,” Loggins said.
Loggins says many small business owners are taking steps to attract qualified workers.
Despite the effort to attract workers, Loggins says he does not anticipate an increase in the number of jobs being added, only efforts to fill positions that are already open.
He also says small businesses face challenges competing with larger companies that can offer more benefits, including health insurance.
“We had an initiative going through the House looking to get a credit to small businesses offering health insurance for the first time, unfortunately it stalled in the House,” Loggins said.
Loggins says the challenges facing small business owners remain significant.
“I just hope that the legislature could help out small businesses who I say all of the time are dying by a death of a thousand papercuts,” Loggins said.
According to the report, about 34% of small business owners in Georgia plan to increase wages over the next quarter to help attract workers.
WSB Radio’s Sabrina Cupit contributed to this story.
