The shutdown is affecting Minnesotans from federal workers to families relying on assistance programs.

Small businesses are feeling the economic strain too.

Berek Awend is the owner of his family's 47-year-old drapery business in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Seven months ago when WCCO first met him , he was working to manage rising costs just to stay flat.

Eight months later, Awend says the tariffs "have come through."

Now with the government shutdown, Awend says it's making it difficult to hire workers, expand and even advertise.

"I can't feel comfortable putting, taking additional risk," Awend said.

The shutdown has already paused new small business loans from the Small Business Administration — something Awend says could derail future plans to grow or buy a building.

"If tha

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