Affordable Virginia Celebrates Small Business Week with Call to Rep. Jen Kiggans to Oppose Tariffs

Virginia Beach, VA – This week, Affordable Virginia is celebrating Small Business Week. On the heels of being named the best state for business, Virginia’s small businesses aren’t seeing the same growth as large corporations due to failed Republican policies, including the burden of tariffs. 

A recent report from the Joint Economic Committee shows that small businesses plan to increase their prices by 30% due to tariffs.

“I’ve been running my coffee truck for ten years, and doing well! Virginia Beach has supported our team, and we’re set to expand into a bigger space to accommodate roasting our beans later this year,” said Stephen Davis, owner of Bear House Coffee. “While I’m doing okay, I’m concerned about the impending tariffs. Other businesses can pass the cost on to their customers, but I will have to eat that cost. Customers don’t want to, and shouldn’t, pay $10 for a cup of coffee. We don’t grow coffee in the US, so I’m bracing for how these tariffs will affect me, my team, and the growth of my business.”

“Everyone is concerned about tariffs, but few groups will be as impacted as our small businesses. Small businesses are the foundation of our communities, and it’s important we show up for them as much as we can,” said Emily Yeatts, Affordable Virginia Campaigns Director. “Unlike families who are only feeling the squeeze at the store, small businesses are feeling it at work, too. We know these tariffs are nothing short of a tax on working people. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans knows large corporations and billionaires benefit from being too big to fail, while small businesses in her own community continue to struggle to stay afloat. Kiggans should know that supporting these small businesses should be a priority for all of us. It’s time for her to stand up and oppose tariff policies that hurt small businesses.”