Small business owners across the Southland were preparing for reductions in staffing and other economic challenges after automatic federal budget cuts began taking effect Friday.

Officials have warned an estimated 64,000 civilian Department of Defense employees could be furloughed, along with airport delays and the closure of air traffic control towers in cuts scheduled to take effect Friday unless the White House and Congress can come to a budget agreement.

Budget “sequestration” could ultimately result in an estimated $45 billion in cuts to defense sector spending, a reduction that defense and national security reporter Jeremy Herb said will impact smaller firms first.

 

READ MORE FROM CBS LOS ANGELES

 

WE ALSO SPOKE TO BRANDON SHAMIM ABOUT THIS ISSUE...

As the chair of the Small Business Council for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Shamim provided great insight into the plight of the entrepreneur and what we can do to take action.

For more information on the Chamber of Commerce, click here.