Skagit Bridge collapse still affecting small business owners

Economists know that few things are as important to commerce as transportation. An incident like the Skagit Bridge collapse can have a rippling effect on the local economy, especially small business owners. Skagit County and nearby Whatcom county are still feeling the effect of the Skagit Bridge collapse. The bridge was a crucial part of the I-5; tens of thousands of cars crossed it daily. With the bridge no longer intact, all of that traffic is being diverted to other routes and many would-be travelers are deciding to stay home or go elsewhere.

Sales are down

Late spring and summer is an important time of year for any economy. It’s a time for shopping and increased sales across all industries. But so far this summer has seen a decrease in sales. One local business, Skagit Cycle, is seeing sales a 30% drop in sales during their busiest season. According to Skagit Cycle’s owner Gary Santiago, his customers are avoiding the traffic and detours, and as a result, aren’t coming into his store. While a temporary fix is in the works, a permanent solution probably won’t be complete until sometime in the fall. An entire summer of decreased sales may prove too much for smaller businesses to handle.

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Source: http://www.king5.com/news/Skagit-Co-businesses-feeling-economic-pain-after-bridge-collapse-209268151.html