Small-biz rent delinquencies skyrocket -- as do rent prices

Small businesses in various states are struggling to pay their rent, a new report shows, with rent delinquency at nearly 40 percent this month.

The findings, published Tuesday by Boston-based business tracker Alignable, are raising more than eyebrows, as they illustrate the stark effect inflation is having on everyday Americans.

The survey of 4,789 randomly selected small business owners saw more than half of respondents say their rent is at least 10 percent higher than six months ago.

[This is the squeeze that will eventually drive the recession. If businesses can’t afford rent, they’ll either relocate or close — and the jobs will disappear. — Ed]