About 1 of 8 Iowa small businesses shuttered, Facebook survey says

National data indicates women-led, minority-led businesses especially hurt by pandemic

By: John Steppe Apr. 9, 2021 6:30 am Updated: Apr. 8, 2021 3:29 pm

A sign on the door alerts shoppers that a former Kmart store is closed for business in Iowa City in 2018. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

About 12 percent of Iowa small and medium-sized businesses were shuttered and 20 percent reduced employment due to the pandemic, according to a February survey by Facebook of 227 businesses.

Both percentages are well below national averages, though, according to Facebook’s Global State of Small Business Report.

About 22 percent of small and medium-sized businesses closed nationwide, and 27 percent cut back on their workforce.

The survey did not provide Iowa-specific data for women-led and minority-led businesses, but nationally those businesses were disproportionately hit by the recent economic uncertainty.

About 25 percent of women-led businesses in the United States were closed, compared to 20 percent for men-led businesses, and about 27 percent of minority-led businesses were shut down, compared to 18 percent for other businesses.

“Our latest Global State of Small Business Report is a timely reminder that many (small and medium-sized businesses) are still vulnerable and in need of support,” Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said in a statement.

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