Small business owners, strategists weigh in on economy ahead of President Biden's visit to Milwaukee next week

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The White House announced President Biden will travel to Milwaukee next Wednesday, Dec. 20, to promote investments in small businesses.

The White House said President Biden will discuss how Bidenomics and his Investing in America agenda are leading to a small business boom.

It will be the President's third visit to Wisconsin this year.

Political strategists say the frequency of his visits point once again to the importance of Wisconsin in next year's election. But the experts say there's a disconnect between how strong the economy is, and how people actually feel about it.

When we spoke to small business owners, they told us they are doing well but they hope for even more support to help them succeed.

Branden Boyd, is the CEO of The Mil Clothing Company. He told us owning a small business is "A beautiful struggle."

Boyd has operated out of Milwaukee's Sherman Phoenix since June of this year.

He's succeeding but said there are challenges. "We need help. Because a lot of people started their business, but they didn't know what to do once they're in the middle of it."

He said he's taken advantage of several grant opportunities at the state and federal levels, but he would still like to see the process streamlined.

But success stories like his are what President Biden will likely highlight when he visits Milwaukee Wednesday.

Ben Wikler, the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said there is a lot for Democrats to be proud of. He said, "Wisconsin businesses are booming," adding, "President Biden has been investing in an economic agenda that builds the economy from the bottom up and the middle out."

Wikler said the path to the White House clearly runs through Wisconsin, which is why the President has already visited several times this year, with more trips likely ahead.

But right now, Wikler said, "The polling at the Democratic Party, like the polling nationally, shows people know we've got a lot of work to do."

Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki said he's not putting as much stock into polls 11 months before the election.

But he does say there's a clear issue Democrats need to focus on right now: "There is a clear disconnect right now between how people are feeling about the economy, and what the statistics and data show the economy is doing."

Democrats point to lower unemployment, higher job creation, and a record high Dow Jones this week.

Still, Zepecki said, "What has not yet caught up is the way people feel about the economy. Better days are ahead."

Which is an important sell, because for small business owners like Branden Boyd, the stakes are high. He told us, "It's a lot of hard work, blood equity that you put into your business. You are the focal point of your business."

So far, logistics and information for the President's visit have not yet been released to the public.

CBS 58 is already planning complete coverage of that visit.