Gov. Bentley Encourages Support of Small Business; NFIB Applauds Him

Governor Robert Bentley on Monday signed a proclamation formally declaring November 26th as Small Business Saturday in Alabama. Small Business Saturday is designed to celebrate and support small businesses and the impact they have on Alabama communities.

“Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for Alabamians to support local businesses on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving,” Governor Bentley said. “Small businesses are the engines of job growth and a vital part of a stimulated economy. By recognizing Small Business Saturday, we can choose to support the small businesses that contribute to our economy and our communities. As we begin the holiday shopping season, I encourage Alabamians to shop at local small businesses throughout Alabama.”

NFIB is a partner again this year with American Express in a national campaign to promote Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday and the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. For many small businesses, the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are a crucial period that could determine whether they are profitable for the year.

According to the latest state profile from the United States Small Business Administration, there are 382,524 small businesses in Alabama, accounting for 96.7% of Alabama businesses. Small businesses employ 47.7% of the state’s private sector workforce.

The Alabama Small Business Commission, created by Governor Bentley with Executive Order 47 in September of 2014, serves as an advisory body in formulating policies, encouraging innovation, and discussing issues critical to the economic growth of small businesses. The Commission promotes policies to assist new business start-ups and the expansion of existing businesses.

Rosemary Elebash, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business chairs the Commission and Advisory Committee.

“Small business represents 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers, and they provide jobs for 58 million Americans,” Rosemary Elebash said. “For many local retail businesses, the holiday shopping season is a make-or-break time, and Americans who want to support their communities and the economy should remember to shop small.”

2016 is the 7th anniversary of Small Business Saturday. A copy of the Governor’s proclamation can be found here.

NFIB Applauds Gov. Bentley for Support of Small Business:

Rosemary Elebash, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, today thanked Gov. Robert Bentley for declaring Nov. 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday in the state of Alabama.

“Small business is the heart and soul of Alabama’s economy,” Elebash said. “Small business accounts for 97 percent of all businesses in the state, and small businesses employ 48 percent of the state’s private-sector workforce.

“Black Friday is when people like to get up early and fight over parking spaces and line up outside the chain stores, but if you’re looking for something unique and want to support your friends and neighbors, you need to support Small Business Saturday,” Elebash said.

“When you shop at a small business, there’s a good chance you’ll be dealing directly with the owner of the company. You’ll be dealing with somebody who could be your friend or neighbor. You’ll be dealing with someone who actually creates jobs and supports the community.”

NFIB, the nation’s and Alabama’s leading small-business business association, is once again helping small and independent businesses to get the word out online about their best Small Business Saturday deals. Small business owners can visit www.NFIB.com/SBS to submit information about their business and why shoppers should visit on Nov. 26. NFIB will promote these submissions on NFIB.com and to its Facebook fans and Twitter followers.

Last year, shoppers spent $16.2 billion at locally-owned stores and restaurants on Small Business Saturday, according to a survey conducted by American Express and NFIB. Last year’s total marked a 14 percent increase over 2014’s event.

Elebash said, “On behalf of our small-business members, I want to thank Governor Bentley for encouraging everyone to support their hometowns and shop small and shop local on Small Business Saturday.”

To learn more about NFIB in Alabama, visit www.NFIB.com/AL and follow @NFIB_AL on Twitter.