Letter to the Editor: Why Small Businesses Are So Important

Editor's Note: Wendy Rosen is the founder of American Made Alliance, an advocacy group for small businesses and American made merchandise. The Cockeysville native is also campaigning for the Maryland 1st District House of Representatives seat. The seat is currently held by Andy Harris, another Cockeysville resident.

Main Street has proven time and again that it is the only proven engine behind any economic recovery.

As consumers and neighbors we don't feel confident about spending our dollars when our local shops don't sparkle and there are vacancy signs in every other window. In fact, for some neighborhoods, those vacancy signs are just the beginning of a downturn to crime and vandalism. I vividly remember the recessions of the 1980's, and the boom times of the 1990's when stores were filled, shopkeepers were smiling and confidence was at an all time high.

We need to get back to a vibrant local economy where every dollar is spent efficiently to support our neighbors and build new jobs. Those new jobs need to be more than minimum wage too. We need to revitalize domestic manufacturing. I'm not talking about big factories, it will more likely be small local and cottage industry producers, I seen real evidence that we have a new manufacturing sector ready to grow; all they need is education and training. The growth of Chinese manufacturing has come to a halt and more and more US companies are returning their production to the USA. Why? Cause consumers like you are demanding American Made; and often the price difference is not worth the off-shore problems.

The best new jobs on the horizon will be for the self-employed, and we all have to help create the confidence that will support them through that difficult start-up process. We need to stop saying the words "Nothing is Made in America." It's not true! Shop at your local farmers market, tell shop owners that you want to see more Made in America products, the more they hear it, the more they will search for those incredible local and domestic products.

Want to shop online? Just go to Etsy.com or FindAmericanMade.com and you'll find the most incredible handmade gifts- you can even search for gifts made locally! Is it more expensive, not at all.

Did you know? Less than 1 percent of all SBA loan or grant dollars go to businesses with less than 20 employees. 78 percent of all new jobs are created by start-ups or small family businesses. When you spent $10 at a big box store, $10 leaves our country before sundown. On the other hand, when you spend $10 at a small shop, almost $7 stays in the community. It makes sense to "recycle" your dollars with small shops. And, if you purchase stuff that is made in America, or a service provided by a local person ALL of your dollars are recycled in the local community.

Small Business Saturday is important. Small Business EVERYDAY can turnaround our economy.