WCPO: Small business owners worry about inflation

UC economist says stimulus funds are still affecting the economy

Inflation is the biggest concern facing small business owners and less than half of them think their local economy will improve, WCPO reported.

To slow spending and reverse rising consumer prices, the Federal Reserve Board authorized the largest interest rate hike in more than two decades.

The nation is still dealing with the effects of stimulus funds pumped into the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Michael Jones, the Kautz-Uible Professor of Economics in the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

"It was $2 trillion and if the supply chain can't respond to that increased money that's in the economy then that's going to cause prices to go up as well," Jones said.

See more from WCPO.

Featured image: UC  economics professor Michael Jones. Screenshot courtesy of WCPO video.

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.

Related Stories

1

Drone-delivered groceries descending into Cincinnati

June 25, 2026

Walmart is bringing drone delivery to Cincinnati, as reported by 700WLW. Host Scott Sloan spoke with Michael Jones, associate professor of economics at the University of Cincinnati's Lindner College of Business, for a look at what it means for Cincinnati shoppers.

2

A leg up in a challenging job market

June 24, 2026

Spectrum interviewed a panel of University of Cincinnati experts and alum for a look into how to stand out in today’s competitive job market. They highlighted UC's cooperative education (co-op) programs and courses that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) competence as key to being ready for the workplace.