LANSING - This January, entry level workers will see a gradual increase in minimum wage.

Because of a 2014 law, by January 2018 it will have increased by 25%. Currently wages are $8.50 an hour and will eventually build up to $9.25 per hour. This will effect the area's fast food and retail businesses, but whether those effects are positive or negative are yet to be seen.

This raise in minimum wage has roused concerns with small business owners in Michigan. When asked whether the impact of a new minimum wage on small businesses would be positive or negative, Steve Antaya, Vice President of Tom's Food Center in Okemos, offered his insights.

"I don't think an independent business has really any other challenges that are different, outside of maybe less resources. You have to figure out, ok, is this something I can absorb, is this something I have to pass on, or a combination of both? And like anything else since you tend to follow the market. The market is going to lead you to figure out how you're going to do that."