Supply Chain Report – 10/06/2025
Small businesses in the Durango area say they are continuing to feel the financial strain from tariffs implemented under the Trump administration, with some owners reporting higher costs, tighter margins, and challenges in planning for the future. A newly proposed federal bill aims to provide targeted relief for businesses facing these pressures.
Legislative Response
On September 11, Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper co-introduced the Small Business Relief Act, legislation designed to exempt small businesses – defined as those with fewer than 500 employees – from existing tariffs. The bill would also provide refunds for tariffs already paid under certain programs, with businesses eligible for reimbursement within 90 days of enactment.
Supporters of the bill argue that small enterprises often lack the financial buffers of larger corporations and are disproportionately affected when supply costs rise. “Small businesses deserve the chance to weather this storm,” Hickenlooper said in announcing the proposal, emphasizing that higher costs have placed unnecessary burdens on entrepreneurs.
Impact on Local Retailers
For local shop owners, the effects have already been felt. Deborah Demme, owner of There’s No Place Like Home, a boutique selling clothing, jewelry, and accessories, described receiving surcharges from international vendors. One of her orders from the United Kingdom totaled $270 but carried an additional $57 fee, prompting her to increase the retail price of imported greeting cards from $5 to $6.
“Some of my vendors have raised their prices and some of my vendors have attached a surcharge,” she explained. While she remains committed to her business, Demme said she has had to carefully weigh whether customers will accept higher prices without turning away from products. She added that shifting entirely to U.S.-made goods is not always realistic but is something she is exploring more actively.
Manufacturing Challenges
Tariffs have also presented difficulties for local manufacturers. Taylor Ripp, CEO and co-founder of Outpost Campers, said earlier this year the company had to “panic-buy” materials to ensure customer orders could be fulfilled amid price uncertainty and supply shortages.
Although Outpost manufactures its campers in the United States, Ripp noted that the business relies on global suppliers for certain specialized components, such as windows and doors from China. “It’s important for people to understand how global everything in their life is,” he said, pointing out that even domestically built products often rely on parts sourced from multiple countries.
While Ripp has seen some stabilization in recent months, he emphasized that frequent policy shifts make long-term planning difficult. “Supply chains for small businesses like ours are very complex and take years to develop,” he said. “What a business owner like me wants is some level of certainty.”
Book Industry Perspective
The publishing industry has also experienced indirect effects. Evan Schertz, owner of Maria’s Bookshop, said that while books themselves were exempted from tariffs under an informational materials category, the costs of paper and printing have risen. With much of the paper supply imported from Canada, tariff-related increases have filtered into wholesale costs, forcing the shop to adjust pricing.
Schertz explained that his buying team has become more cautious, avoiding holding excess inventory in case future costs climb further. “Nobody actually knows what the future is going to hold,” he said, describing how unpredictability in trade and tariff policy has complicated long-term business decisions.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges, many Durango business owners remain hopeful that solutions such as the Small Business Relief Act could offer some reprieve. Demme said she supports legislation aimed at easing tariff burdens, noting, “I would definitely encourage lawmakers to support that kind of a bill to help small business people, not only in our community but in the country.”
Ripp echoed the sentiment, adding that vendors’ willingness to share in the costs has provided some stability. Still, he and other owners agree that predictability in policy remains one of the most critical needs for small businesses navigating a globalized supply chain.
As Congress debates tariff exemptions and refunds for small enterprises, business owners across sectors continue to adapt, weighing pricing strategies, sourcing options, and long-term survival in a shifting economic landscape.
#SupplyChainNews #SmallBusiness #TariffUpdate #EconomicPolicy #NewsUpdate
