After hitting the Black Friday sales (or skipping them to avoid the crowds), it can be a refreshing change of pace to stroll into some small locally owned shops and restaurants in our community and enjoy their personal, distinct flavor.
For the past several years now, small businesses across the country have joined in a nationwide effort the weekend after Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday shopping season by promoting the local businesses that make our community distinctive — and create jobs, boost the economy and sustain neighborhoods.
Now is a great time to try out some local small businesses for gifts, holiday decorations, clothes for holiday parties. You might find that one-of-a-kind hand-crafted pair of earrings or yummy chocolates made in small batches in a neighborhood nearby.
Then stop in for coffee at a non-chain coffee shop or lunch at a locally-owned restaurant you haven’t yet tried.
Small businesses are not just for consumer goods and eating out. Most home builders, remodelers and related trades people and professional service providers are local companies. They play an important part in providing jobs, paying taxes and supporting our economy.
So when you’re looking for someone to remodel your kitchen, refurbish your deck, or even build your dream home, take a look at businesses based in your community to see what they have to offer.
According to the federal Small Businesses Administration, in 2015 (the latest figures available), small businesses nationwide created 1.9 million net new jobs and represented 99.9% of firms with paid employees. When small businesses succeed, we all do.
Small businesses are invested in their communities. They all have a deep interest in making sure the places we live remain safe, clean, attractive and most of all, vibrant.
In fact, nothing packs a bigger local economic impact than home building. According to the National Association of Home Builders, constructing 100 new single-family homes creates 297 full-time jobs, $28 million in wage and business income and $11.1 million in federal, state and local tax revenue.
For more on finding small businesses that do home building and remodeling and related trades and professional services, contact your local HBA.