Small Business Saturday

WHEREAS, Arlington County celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community; and

WHEREAS, there are currently 28.8 million small businesses in the United States, which are responsible for 63 percent of net new jobs created over the past 20 years, 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, Arlington supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, since 2002 Arlington has supported over 43,000 small business enterprises through its entrepreneurial program BizLaunch, which created approximately 172,000 jobs;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Fisette, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 25, 2017, as

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

and urge the residents of our community to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.

Jay Fisette, Chair