Strike takes $2 billion toll

February 11, 2008 Most of the pain, experts say, was felt by independent contractors, small-business owners and others that have courted TV production crews as favored customers. The Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. estimates that while $733 million in production spending has been lost, another $1.3 billion came from the pockets of the caterers, florists, valets, hotel operators, restaurant workers, costume-house employees and others. "No one is saying, 'I'm outta here for good,' but when they do come back, they'll be operating differently," said Mark Deo, executive director of the Small Business Advisory Network.

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