Minimum wage rising Jan.1 in Maryland, some say this could be bad for businesses during pandemic

SALISBURY, Md.- Marylander’s minimum wage will rise from 11 dollars an hour to $11.75.

That’s for businesses with 15 or more employees.

Businesses with 14 or fewer employees will go to 11.60 an hour.

While some are celebrating the raise, others, like Bill Chambers with the Salisbury Area Chambers of Commerce are worried.

Chambers said the coronavirus has already has hurt businesses economically, and he feels going from 11 dollars to 11.75 will be yet another financial blow.

“It’s just going to be another hit for businesses, and if you cant pay your people it doesn’t matter what the minimum wage is, if you’re not able to pay employees because they’ve been laid off or furloughed the minimum wage could be $100 dollars an hour it really doesn’t matter,” Bill Chambers, President & CEO of SBY Chamber, said.

Chambers said the biggest sector that has been impacted economically is the hospitality and restaurant sector.

He added many businesses have already cut down hours and staff, and he thinks this wage increase may delay businesses from bringing some employees back.