Wholesale Distribution and the Economic Stimulus

We are nearing official approval of H.R.1 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the 1,073-page, $787 billion “stimulus” bill. Peggy Noonan recently described the legislation as “a big, messy, largely off-point and philosophically chaotic piece of legislation.” Oink!

But put aside your personal, political feelings about the bill and ask yourself as a business person: WIIFM? (What’s In It For Me?)

As I see it, this bill will have a major impact on many wholesale distribution sectors. The estimated $787 billion cost, which will be incurred from 2009 through 2019, is split between two-thirds in direct spending and one-third in tax cuts.

Please take 5 minutes and let me know (anonymously) how the new bill might affect your company’s business plans in this brief, 2-page online survey:

Economic Stimulus Bill and Business Planning survey

I must get your response by midnight on Friday, February 20, in order to include your opinions. The survey results will be freely available and published on the Distribution Trends blog.

BTW, I am currently working on detailed analyses of the final bill and its implications for wholesaler-distributors, including a look at where the funds will be spent (by industry, geography, etc.) Stay tuned for more details soon.