Montgomery, AL – In a show of unwavering support for Alabama’s small businesses, Governor Kay Ivey signed a proclamation declaring November 25, 2023, as Small Business Saturday throughout the state. This designation aims to highlight and encourage the celebration of the significant impact small businesses have on communities across Alabama.
Governor Ivey emphasized the crucial role played by local enterprises in driving innovation, providing employment opportunities, and preserving the vitality of communities statewide. In her statement, she urged all Alabamians to prioritize local spending on Small Business Saturday, emphasizing that supporting these businesses directly invests in the state’s communities and its people.
According to Alabama’s 2023 small business profile, compiled annually by the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses constitute a dominant force in the state’s economy. They lead in various industries globally, employing nearly half of Alabama’s citizens.
U.S. Small Business Administration Alabama District Director Thomas Todt underscored the significance of Small Business Saturday, urging citizens to allocate a portion of their resources to support Alabama’s 422,518 small businesses. These businesses collectively make up 99.4% of the state and employ 818,234 individuals, equating to 46% of the state’s workforce.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the leading small business advocacy organization in the state, expressed gratitude to Governor Ivey for her proclamation. Rosemary Elebash, NFIB Alabama State Director, highlighted the vital role that small businesses play in driving the economy, creating jobs, and contributing to the overall well-being of communities.
Elebash stated, “When we support locally owned shops and restaurants, we support our friends and neighbors. We support the businesses that create jobs, sponsor our kids’ sports teams, and give to local charities.” She emphasized the personal connection that often comes with shopping at a small business, where customers are likely to interact directly with the owner, someone with a vested interest in building lasting relationships.
Research conducted by NFIB indicates that sixty-seven cents of every dollar spent at a family-owned small business remains in the community. Additionally, every dollar spent at a local small business generates an additional 50 cents in local business activity as employers and their employees support other local businesses.
