Published on November 26, 2024
Support Morris County’s Local Businesses This Holiday Season
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has officially designated Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, adopting a special resolution to observe Small Business Saturday, recognizing the essential role small businesses play in driving the county’s economy and enhancing the overall quality of life for our communities.
Small Business Saturday®, launched by American Express on Nov. 27, 2010, has evolved into a national movement encouraging holiday shoppers to patronize local businesses. This year marks the 15th annual event.
“In Morris County, small businesses are vital to our communities, serving as the backbone of our local economies,” said Commissioner Director Christine Myers. “We are proud to have helped many of them after the pandemic through a Small Business Grant program that issued nearly $11 million in aid in 2022, and we continue to invest in marketing campaigns to drive visitors and tourists to our many downtown shopping areas. Small businesses are indispensable to our county’s economic strength and quality of life.”
Small businesses also are a cornerstone of the U.S. economy. According to a July 2024 report by the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 34.7 million small businesses nationwide, representing 99.9% of all businesses and employing nearly 59 million people. These businesses have created more than 20 million net new jobs since 1995.
“We support several key resources that help to drive our area’s growth,” said Commissioner Tayfun Selen, liaison to the Morris County Economic Development Committee. “The work of organizations such as the Morris County Economic Development Alliance, Morris County Tourism Bureau, Morris County Economic Development Corporation, and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce are crucial to growing local businesses in our community.”
This year, the Morris County Economic Development Alliance has partnered with American Express as an official community partner for Small Business Saturday®. The partnership reinforces Morris County’s commitment to fostering local business growth by encouraging residents to Shop Small® and support the unique character of the county’s small business community.
“We’re proud to support Small Business Saturday and celebrate the many small businesses that give Morris County its unique charm,” said Meghan Hunscher, President and CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. “We invite everyone to use our online business directory, a year-round resource to discover and support local businesses throughout the county.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to support small businesses throughout the holiday season. “Shopping small” not only bolsters the local economy but also preserves the charm and character that makes Morris County a special place to live, work and raise a family.
The final paragraph of the resolution reads:
“Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Morris and State of New Jersey, in recognition of the crucial role small businesses play in our economy and quality of life in Morris County, hereby proclaims November 30, 2024 to be “Small Business Saturday 2024” and urges communities across the nation to “Shop Small®” not only on that day, but throughout the year.”
For more information about “shopping small” in Morris County, visit the Morris County Tourism website.
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Photo 1: Downtown Madison, N.J.
Photo 2: Speedwell Ave. in Morris Plains, N.J.
