Consumers urged to shop, dine at local small businesses during holidays
Clarksville, TN – Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan has proclaimed Saturday, November 26th as Small Business Saturday in the City of Clarksville.
Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the City of Clarksville, the state and country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
“Of course, we all love our malls and Big Box retailers, but we need to remember to visit and support our distinctive local small businesses, who also need a strong holiday season to thrive,” Mayor Kim McMillan said. “By shopping or dining at small businesses during the holidays and throughout the year, you can show your support for the small businesses in your neighborhood and across our community.”McMillan’s proclamation points out that small businesses employ nearly half of all workers in the United States, and are responsible for 63 percent of net new jobs created over the past 20 years.
“The City of Clarksville supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods,” McMillan said. “So it just makes good sense to shop with our small business friends and neighbors during the holidays and throughout the year.”
Here is the Mayor’s full proclamation:
PROCLAMATION
Small Business Saturday
WHEREAS, Clarksville, Tennessee celebrates our local small businesses and the contribution they make to our local economy and community; according to the United States Small Business Administration, there are currently 28.8 million small businesses in the United States, they represent more than 99.7 percent of American employer firms, are responsible for 63 percent of net new jobs created over the past 20 years; and
WHEREAS, small businesses employ over 49 percent of all businesses with employees in the United States; and
WHEREAS, 89 percent of consumers in the United States agree that small businesses contribute positively to the local community by supplying jobs and generating tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, 87 percent of consumers in the United States agree that small businesses are critical to the overall economic health of the United States; and
WHEREAS, 93 percent of consumers in the United States agree that it is important for people to support the small businesses that they value in their community; and
WHEREAS, Clarksville, Tennessee supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, advocacy groups and public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as “Small Business Saturday.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kim McMillan, Mayor of Clarksville, Tennessee do hereby proclaim, November 26th, 2016, as:
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
And urge the residents of our community, and communities across the country, to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.
Kim McMillan, City Mayor
Sylvia Skinner, City Clerk