For the 12th year in a row, Georgia ranked as the top state for doing business in the country.
Behind this economic success are 1.4 million small businesses in our state that create countless jobs and provide innovative products and services.
But our state’s economic success is not guaranteed and will depend heavily on our response to the current onslaught of tariffs.
Take it from me. Over the past year, running my small business has felt like an uphill climb. Rather than improving operations or hiring more staff, I’ve navigated new costs, paperwork and uncertainty. Tariffs have functioned like a hidden tax on imported goods and left me an expense that ultimately hikes retail prices.
That pressure is especially acute for online retailers like myself. E-commerce means I can reach customers beyond Georgia, but it also makes me sensitive to changes in international trade. The disruption to my supply chain has forced me to take tough decisions on pricing, inventory and personnel. These painful decisions won’t end until policymakers lower tariffs and provide certainty to small business owners.
2026 should be a year of growth both for my business and Georgia’s economy.
I hope our elected officials, especially GOP members of Congress, can see the urgency behind opposing tariffs to maintain our state’s business-friendly status.