It's kind of exciting to talk about chasing companies and corporations when it comes to development.
But it's truly small businesses that continue to serve as the backbone of the U.S. economy, strengthening local communities and creating new opportunities for talented workers.
Small Business Saturday, a week from today, began in 2010 as a credit card's campaign to promote shopping in small businesses. It's become a nationwide event dedicated to supporting small businesses that provide something no big box store can - a personal touch.
Between 1993 and 2011, small businesses helped create 64 percent of net new jobs in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 23 million small businesses in the nation and these enterprises account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales. Amazingly, small businesses provide 55 percent of all jobs and 66 percent of all net new jobs since the 1970s.
Even during the economic downturn, small businesses pushed economic growth. While corporations have been downsizing, the rate of small business starts has grown and the rate for small business failures has declined. The number of small business in the U.S. has increased 49 percent since 1982.
Locally, it may be a critical time to support small businesses in Borderland. With the recent job loss at the local mill, we need to support these businesses so they may continue to employ family, friends and neighbors, generously support our fundraisers and provide the day-to-day needs of residents and visitors in our local communities.
Without our support, these businesses may fail. In a community like ours, a far reach from other communities, we may see our needs and our wants go unfulfilled easily without these business.
Faye Whitbeck, president of the International Falls Chamber of Commerce urges people to think about small businesses as they prepare their shopping lists.
"When you shop at your local small business, you boost the survival of all the things that make your community great. The money you spend here, stays here," she said. She notes it's estimated $68 of every $100 spent in a community goes right back into that community in some way.
Clearly, it's time to put away the catalogs and the online shopping and look for a small business in the community that can offer what you need.
Where else can you get a warm cup of coffee with a smile from someone you know and knows you? Or get a haircut from someone who bought a pizza for your child's fundraiser. Or buy your groceries from the person who contributed to the local senior center your mom visits?
Small business Saturday is a time to pay tribute to the local entrepreneurs in this community who help to make this community the gem that it is.
