To increase awareness of the value of the nation’s 29 million small businesses, the Senate has approved a resolution to make Nov. 25 “Small Business Saturday.”
Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said the effort recognizes the contributions small businesses make to the U.S. economy.
“Main Street America creates two out of every three new jobs in our country,” Risch, chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, said. “Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for all Americans to rally behind these local, independently-owned businesses and support the entrepreneurs who keep our families employed. Unanimous approval of our resolution reinforces this institution’s full, unwavering commitment to our small business community.”
The lawmakers said small businesses employ more than 47 percent of employees in the private sector;
constitute 98 percent of firms exporting goods; pay 41 percent of total private sector payroll; and generated more than 61 percent of net new jobs between 1993-2016.
“Small businesses employ almost half our country’s workforce and make enormous economic and cultural contributions to our communities,” Shaheen, the committee’s ranking member, said. “As the holiday season approaches, I encourage Americans to make a point of shopping and dining at local, independently-owned businesses in New Hampshire and across the country. Even better, let’s support these small businesses all year long.”