Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton promised to advocate for Ohio’s small business community during a Tuesday visit to Fox’s Bagel and Deli in Bexley. Acton, emphasizing her intent to “give a voice” to small businesses, outlined several proposals including loan programs for new businesses, efforts to reduce household costs to boost customer traffic, and a commitment to forming a dedicated small business council within her office. She called small businesses “the future of Ohio” and plans to convene them for a focused review of the business sector alongside JobsOhio, paying particular attention to entrepreneurs and legacy city businesses.
During her visit, Acton met with Fox’s owner, Jeremy Fox, and Scott Bast, who operates Scotty’s Café nearby. Both owners described the increasing pressure from rising operational expenses. Bast shared that his recent electric bill more than doubled, stating, “It was $1,500. It’s $3,400 now.” He explained that these unpredictable cost increases pose challenges for his catering business, which often requires quoting prices a year in advance for events like weddings, making it impossible to adjust for economic shifts later. Fox added that managing these escalating costs often forces difficult choices, as businesses cannot significantly cut labor or food expenses, leaving employee benefits vulnerable. He noted that while his establishment reimburses a portion of health insurance costs for full-time employees and offers paid time off, owner insurance is a luxury in the restaurant industry.
In response to these challenges, Acton detailed further proposals. She is considering loan programs to help entrepreneurs start businesses, specifically mentioning a focus on minority-led businesses. Acton has also proposed a Working Families Tax Cut, geared toward lower-income families with children. This plan includes an earned income tax credit and a child tax credit of $1,000 for children aged six and under, and $500 for those aged seven to eighteen. She told Fox and Bast that such a measure could provide immediate cash flow relief for working individuals, benefiting both employees and customers of small businesses. Additionally, Acton plans to leverage the state’s purchasing power to negotiate lower health insurance premiums for small businesses, expressing concern about the lack of affordable alternatives for owners. She also mentioned exploring workforce training initiatives, similar to programs she has observed in Indiana and Colorado, to further support business needs.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign did not provide a comment regarding his specific plans for small businesses when asked. However, Ramaswamy has received the endorsement of Ohio’s chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), which represents 21,000 small and independent businesses. NFIB Ohio State Director Jared Weiser stated in August that their members sought a candidate who understood small business challenges and had a vision for Ohio.
In a press release announcing the endorsement, Ramaswamy characterized small businesses as “the backbone of towns and cities across Ohio.” He contended that despite years of Republican leadership, these businesses are “getting squeezed by government overgrowth” and were “unfairly penalized by the disastrous COVID lockdowns.” Ramaswamy pledged to support “hardworking Ohioans and entrepreneurs” and to “get government off the backs of small businesses so they can grow here and help Ohio families get ahead.”
In response to Ramaswamy's NFIB endorsement, Acton campaign spokeswoman Virginia Schaus commented that Ramaswamy’s proposed tax cuts would ultimately raise costs for Ohio families and harm small businesses. Schaus asserted that as governor, Dr. Acton would remain focused on lowering costs.
