The holiday season presents an increased opportunity to promote small businesses, especially those who offer unique gifts. This year there is an increased focus on shopping local, to avoid the hazards of the challenged supply chain. The infusion of cash during special events and seasons can be sustaining to the smallest of entrepreneurs.
While there is often a community mindset that large employers are the lifeblood of a vibrant community, small business is really the heart of the ecosystem of successful economic development.
Those who work for large employers in the community, including those who provide infrastructure, local government, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, depend on small businesses to provide the day-to-day needs and wants of their employees. Small businesses also provide additional jobs and in fact, qualify as the largest employer by category.
Most people want to live in a community where they can easily access what they need, including food, household goods, car repair, etc. Community members also value the convenience of places to purchase discretionary goods and services. The quality of life offered by a community will be highly increased by accessibility to leisure activities, interesting places to eat, and fun places to shop.
The pressure has never been greater on small businesses to be at the top of their game. While many are opening with a skeleton crew of employees and often having to make the difficult choice to have reduced hours, customers’ expectations are high. It is too often the case that we’ll leave the area to do specialty shopping (or shop online), while complaining about the lack of choices locally.
Jessica Carroll, manager of the Franklin Retail Association remarks, “We have been blessed in our community by an incredible group of small businesses who truly champion each other and work together for the common good. Every purchase, shared post, kind word, and participation in an event is an investment in your local economy and in building a happier community. It is truly cyclical. Large businesses want vibrant communities to invest in. Vibrant communities come from small businesses.”
The absolute best way to support the local economy is through investment in the creation and sustainability of local business. Those who open and operate small businesses are directly involved in economic and community development every day. Those who support them with their dollars are next in the chain of nourishing economic development. And while every person cannot support every business with spending, we can all support them with our words and our attitudes. By valuing these local investors and being good ambassadors for our business community, we play a part in attracting those larger employers and most importantly those most likely to make the decision to live and work here.
As we approach the holidays and a new year, join us in acknowledging the role each and everyone of us play in economic development and the future of our community.
Picture 1: Nikki and Doug Volmrich, owners of Something Clever and Feldman’s Jewelers, are in the heart of the Franklin retail district. Both have been dedicated volunteers and community champions.
Pictured 2: Heidi Krug, Christine Manning, and Cheri Pierce shop at the Transit Arts Gallery & Gifts in downtown Oil City.
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s December 2021 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.