ORLANDO, Fla. — Friday is day 17 of the government shutdown — that means 17 days of funding frustrations for some small businesses. 

What You Need To Know

Some established companies have dipped into their reserve fund, other new businesses are struggling 

The government shutdown has hit hard in the first few weeks; three businesses in UCF’s Business Incubator Program had to pause because of cash flow problems

Businesses in the building rely on money from the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and countless other government agencies

It’s not just at Research Park; the government shutdown is hitting business brokers who connect small businesses buyers and sellers

Whether it is contracts from government agencies, research grants or Small Business Administration loans, the shutdown has caused hurdles for small business owners in Central Florida. 

There are 120 small businesses that are a part of the UCF Business Incubator Program. The director, Rafael Caamaño, said the more well-established businesses have dipped into their reserve and will get through this. But some of the businesses just getting started are really struggling, especially since there is no end in sight. 

“If we wait longer, I think we may have to lose some companies,” Caamaño said. He said grant funding was already down 55 percent this year compared to last year. “It is sad, some of these companies have great technology. These are great inventors, great scientists,” Caamaño said.

The government shutdown has hit hard in the first few weeks. Three businesses in the program had to pause because of cash flow problems.

“These companies, a lot of them have direct contracts with federal agencies so once the payments stop, they have to stop working,” Caamaño said.

Businesses in the building rely on money from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and countless other government agencies.

“We specialize in building nano materials to selectively extract, separate and refine critical materials from liquids,” said Brandon Carpenter, the VP of nano fabrication at Precision Periodic.

Carpenter said he prepared financially for the shutdown so business can keep going.

“I think the biggest impact for us has simply been any new funding coming from grants is currently in limbo,” Carpenter said.

It’s not just at Research Park; the government shutdown is hitting business brokers who connect small businesses buyers and sellers. “If it stays shutdown for more than another week or two, then there will definitely be some impact on our business,” said Paul McNally, the owner of the Central Florida Business Brokerage.

McNally said half of his sales require Small Business Administration loans, which are on hold during the shutdown. “In small business, the SBA is for financing is one of our only options,” McNally said.

At the brokerage, time kills business. Right now, time is not on anyone’s side. “We are all kind of waiting to see what is going to happen,” Caamaño said.

There is a domino effect, with money not coming in, that means not only does business slow down, employees don’t get paid and the economy can also take a hit the longer this goes.