Small businesses in the U.S. are feeling the squeeze of rising interest rates, impacting their ability to manage loans and maintain operations. Ron Hall, who secured a $407,000 Small Business Administration loan for a sandwich shop, saw his monthly payments rise sharply from $5,000 to $6,000 over the past year as interest rates climbed to over 11%. A survey by Alignable found that 58% of small businesses feel the impact of high interest rates, up from 45% in June. Smaller companies, lacking leverage, struggle to pass higher costs to consumers, and challenges such as inflation and supply chain disruptions add to their vulnerabilities. The Federal Reserve's rate hikes to combat inflation contribute to financial pressures on small businesses, affecting their growth and hiring capabilities. While some businesses, like metal foundry BCI Solutions, are investing in the future, others face challenges and regrets as they grapple with rising rates and uncertain economic conditions.