A small-businesses need

As a small-business owner, I've encountered myriad challenges over the last few years, but the same threat keeps rising to the top - climate change. Extreme weather events such as floods are becoming more and more common here in Chicago, and this is threatening the livelihood of our communities and straining our physical infrastructure. That's why we need Congress to act now and pass a bipartisan plan to address these challenges by investing in a 21st century infrastructure.

Small businesses in Chicago would welcome investments in physical infrastructure and clean energy projects that would strengthen our community. In fact, a recent survey found that more than 8 in 10 small businesses around the country support clean energy and clean water proposals from the bipartisan infrastructure package. What's more, passing this legislation would also mean more investments toward expanding and improving access to reliable broadband, which would help entrepreneurs like me run our businesses during the pandemic and reach more customers.

Addressing these issues is not just the right thing to do, it makes good business sense. Congress needs to take action now and provide robust infrastructure investments so that small businesses are better prepared to withstand the next crisis.

Beverly Dvorkin

Chicago