A proposal by the president to raise the minimum wage is drawing some criticism locally.

The president's plan, announced during his State of the Union address, called for raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 by 2015 and it would link future increases to inflation.

Some small business owners said the plan could hurt them and their customers. 

"The economy has been so bad," said Old Hickory House owner David Carter. 

The Old Hickory House has been in his family for more than 50 years.  He said lately keeping his business open has been a challenge.

"You know there’s been a lot of times we don't get paid, but we make sure our employees get paid," Carter said.

The owner of Amelie's Bakery in NoDa said they support the measure, because it could help employees struggling to make ends meet. 

However, Republican lawmaker Craig Horn said it would cause prices to skyrocket and hurt small business owners.

Carter said any increase in the minimum wage could result in an increase in prices.  That's something he hasn't done in two years.  He said he'd rather give his employees a raise when they're able to afford it.

"It's our call. It's not the government's call. It's something that we should have the freedom to do," Carter said.

Supporters of the plan point out that the minimum wage hasn't increased since 2009.