Drive Our Economy Further by Continuing NSBW Spirit

One of my colleagues recently asked if anyone could go one day without a dozen small businesses impacting your life. What about just one? If you try answering those questions yourself, the answer is a resounding ‘no.’ Small business is woven into the fabric of the United States.

Small businesses are everywhere. Your dry cleaners, the independent coffeehouse you frequent, your doctor and dentist’s offices and your favorite local restaurant are undoubtably small businesses just to identify a few. While government is responsible for maintaining roadways and mass transit, it’s small business contractors employing our neighbors who build and often repair them.

Entrepreneurs are among the Empire State’s greatest resource. The SBA is proud to be a tile in the ever-growing mosaic of 2.1 million New York entrepreneurs employing 4 million residents. Moreover, the White House and our agency are proud of their role in fostering business growth across the country.

That’s why it is so important for National Small Business Week to spotlight the contributions of local ventures and entrepreneurs. Yes, it shows how smart economic policies continue to grow jobs, reduce the unemployment rate to the lowest level in decades and grow workers’ paychecks, but is also localizes this news. It localizes the new 5.8 million jobs created since January 2017, showing how America’s booming economy is positively affecting your neck of the woods as well as friends and neighbors you may know.

This year recognized stellar entrepreneurs around the region who are thriving in their ventures due to assistance or mentorship they received from the SBA.

New York State’s largest African American Chamber of Commerce saw its president, Philip Andrews of Nassau County, honored as the New York District’s Small Business Champion for his continued efforts improving the atmosphere for entrepreneurs on Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn. In the Buffalo District Office, the SBA recognized SCORE Buffalo Niagara with a special District Director’s Award for managing the Straight Talk program for the past two years due to SBA staff furloughs due to partial government shutdowns. And Chris Martell, president of Saratoga Springs-based Druthers Brewing Company, was named Small Business Person of the Year by the SBA’s Syracuse Office for growing his business. It began with an SBA-backed loan for construction and equipment for its first location; today it’s a $14 million business employing 240 people.

The stories from National Small Business Week spoke to the success of American entrepreneurship. Our nation thrives today because bold entrepreneurs and innovators had vision and drive, stopping at nothing to realize their dreams. This intrepid spirit, which burns in the heart of so many today, kept Thomas Edison working into the candlelit hours, lifted Amelia Earhart to new heights, and put a computer in every home.

The SBA is excited to help American businesspeople thrive, and as Regional Administrator, I am proud to deliver the SBA’s programs and help entrepreneurs create jobs across the Atlantic Region. SBA services and our resource partners are the fuel empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to grow and succeed. I’ve been honored to meet small business owners who have leveraged the SBA’s resources to their advantage. As I tour their successful businesses, I can see how we’re making a positive difference and helping expand our economy. I look forward to seeing even more reach the next level.

It's incumbent on all of us to help the small business community even more – not just one week out of 52. The power is solely in our hands. We ought to carry the momentum built by National Small Business Week year-round to support these community cornerstones and support further economic growth.

ABOUT THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION & SBA ATLANTIC REGION (Region II)

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality for millions of Americans. As the only go-to resource and voice for small business backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. The SBA delivers services through an extensive network of field offices, located throughout ten different regions of the country. The Atlantic Region (Region II) services the States of New York and New Jersey as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is led by Regional Administrator Steve Bulger.