According to a new National Federation of Independent Business Small-Business Poll on Local Business Climate, small-business owners consider local institutions and attitudes towards enterprise key factors that contribute to a small firm's success.
Nearly two-thirds of the owners surveyed, 65 percent, think their local community has a favorable business climate. Characteristics most valued by Main Street are community support, people working together, a strong customer base, constant growth and expansion in the area, a close-knit community, little government interference, opportunity, diversity and quality of life.
As much as they want to get their fingers into things, state and federal efforts to spur (or control) entrepreneurship are not important factors in small business success. In fact, most of their efforts no matter how well intentioned are counterproductive. What they can do to help is to reduce regulatory interference of small businesses, cut taxes, and then get out of the way.
