News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
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For Release: IMMEDIATELY, November 25, 2016
Contact: Michael Fraser, (518) 455-3751
Support Small Businesses and Shop Local on
Small Business Saturday
Column from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua)

The holiday shopping season is upon us and I'd like to remind you there is an easier and less stressful option to going to the mall or a big box store. On November 26, be sure to get out on Small Business Saturday and take advantage of all the great things the area's small businesses have to offer.

Held on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, the initiative was created to encourage people to shop in their communities and support the local businesses that make each of our towns and cities so unique. According to Forbes Magazine in 2012, consumers spent an estimated $5.5 billion on Small Business Saturday and by 2015, that amount nearly tripled to $16.2 billion. There are more than one million small businesses in New York State and supporting them has a big impact on the community.

CELEBRATE SMALL BUSINESSES

It's important to keep money circulating in the region and patronizing the mom and pop shops that make our communities strong. The business owners in your area are the parents of your child's classmates, the person you sit next to in church or your neighbor.

Small businesses offer an experience that is very difficult to replicate in a large, corporate store. Most business owners are experts in their fields and have spent much of their lives mastering their craft. Every customer counts, so the owner and their staff will go to great lengths to make sure their customers are completely satisfied. Local business owners know the people in their community; know what products they like and the services they need, making them better suited to cater to the specific region in which they are located.

On Small Business Saturday, local chambers of commerce, dedicated to improving the business climate in our communities, will be working to make the day a better shopping experience for consumers and business owners alike. For more information about promotional events in your area, I encourage you to contact your local chapter.

LEGISLATION TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GROW

As the only legislative leader to own a business, I understand the difficulties facing those trying to independently provide for their families. Red tape and tax-and-harass policies have made it difficult for small businesses to thrive. I will continue to promote the Small Business Full Employment Act (A.5898), which, if enacted, would give tax credits to businesses, including a credit for merely maintaining their workforce. When the state's small businesses succeed, their employees and the local economies succeed.

New York State is very fortunate to have a diverse population of talented people looking to make our communities better by providing great products and services. On Small Business Saturday be sure to go out and support those businesses and the people who helped build them.

What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.