THE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING DECLARED 
AS SMALL BUSINESS WEEKEND
Resolution for Small Business Weekend 
Encourages Shopping on “Main Street” 

DRACUT - Today, State Representative Colleen Garry, a member of the Small Business Caucus, is reminding local business owners and shoppers that the first Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving was declared as Small Business Weekend in Massachusetts last year.

Rep. Garry was pleased to co-sponsor the House Resolution establishing the Small Business Weekend.  The purpose of the resolution is to recognize the important economic role and positive impacts small business has on our communities and to encourage shopping at “Main Street” local businesses.
Not only do local businesses tend to employ local people, but for every $100 spent with locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through local taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. 
Garry believes that a public awareness campaign will help increase revenue for local businesses, which will in turn help increase employment opportunities.
“If we want to put people back to work, we need to support our local businesses and encourage future entrepreneurs.  Promoting Small Business Weekend will help educate the public as to how vital small business is to our state’s economic outlook and hopefully motivate them to shop locally all year long,” said Garry.  
“The small business community is the backbone of our economy.  Three out of every four new jobs in Massachusetts are created by small business.  Encouraging participation in Small Business Weekend will give our local merchants a boost during the peak holiday shopping season,” added Garry.  
In 2011 the first ever Small Business Caucus at the State House was started in order to create a more business friendly climate in the Commonwealth.  Chaired by Representative Shaunna O’Connell, the caucus has been working with legislative members and industry experts on issues such as mandates, regulations, the high cost of health insurance and the tax burden.