The Source - Spring 2009 - (Page 22)

feature Member to member How has the economy aﬀected your public gas system? F or months, Americans have experienced the residual effects of the current economic downturn with little reassurance as to when they will see relief. Across the nation, there is record job loss, skyrocketing employer benefits costs, financial collapse on Wall Street, tightening credit, high energy costs and declining wages. The ripple effect this economy has created is clear. From corporations ruined to suffering small businesses right in the heart of America, we are all feeling the pain. This bleak picture comes on the heels of a new year, a new president and an American population ready for change and better days. At APGA, we wanted to see first-hand how our members were coping with this new reality. We asked our members a series of survey questions focusing on how the economy has directly affected their system. As we move through 2009, we hope to see improvements on these numbers and opinions. act! F Energy Costs Aﬀect Everyone As a result of a nationwide survey conducted each fall, the National Small Business Association found that, “Energy prices are also placing a heavy toll on America’s small businesses. Spikes in energy costs have negatively impacted 77 percent of small-business owners. In response to those rising costs, 37 percent of businesses have increased their prices, and 33 percent have reduced their business travel. Despite the following responses being statistically lower, even more alarming is the fact that energy costs have forced 10 percent of small businesses to reduce their workforce and 11 percent to cut their production schedule. The one silver-lining to the increased energy costs is the fact that 18 percent of companies impacted have taken steps to invest in more energy-efficient equipment or upgrades.” 22 THE SOURCE | THE VOICE AND CHOICE OF PUBLIC GAS

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Source - Spring 2009

The Source - Spring 2009 Contents First Person APGA Events Q&A: One-on-One with Senator Jeff Bingaman Great Malls Think Alike The Economy and Your Customers Member to Member New Technology: Saving Energy Never Felt So Good New Technology: Get Pumped! Legislative Outlook The Pipeline Advertiser.com Advertisers' Index At Last

The Source - Spring 2009

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