This Saturday, November 25, 2017, is “Small Business Saturday” in New York State and today Empire State Development, and the Departments of Labor, Taxation and Finance, and Agriculture and Markets encouraged all New Yorkers to support local small businesses, which generate millions of jobs throughout the Empire State.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Small businesses employ more than half of New York’s private sector workforce and are the backbone of our economy. We encourage New Yorkers to come out and support our small businesses on Saturday, and every day, in order to boost local economies and strengthen communities across the state.”
Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball said, “Small Business Saturday is a great reminder to shoppers that you don’t have to look far for unique, high-quality products, especially with New York’s booming craft beverage industry and top-notch agricultural sector. From Buffalo to Long Island, innovative food and beverage producers are creating delicious products that you can’t find anywhere else. They make great gifts and buying local helps spur the regional economy.”
Small Business Saturday celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners and invites shoppers to visit local stores at the beginning of the busy holiday shopping season. The small business sector is a major contributor to the foundation of New York’s economy, accounting for 98 percent of all businesses in the state and employing more than 40 percent of New York’s private sector workforce. Today, New York State has more than 530,000 small business proprietors, employing more than 3 million people.
