What happened to Americas small town business?

Quite a lot of it is gone already.  Small retail business has been especially hard hit, because it has a difficult time competing with chain retail stores that buy in huge amounts and get a better wholesale price because of it.  There are, of course other reasons as well.  Credit is very tight now, so it's nearly impossible to get financing to start up or expand a small business.  Illegal alien workers who work for small wages and no benefits, hurt also, because the larger firms are the ones who employ illegals the most, so they can do contract work or supply services at a better price.