WHEREAS, Arlington County celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Small Business Administration, there are currently 23 million small businesses in the United States, representing more than 99 percent of American employer firms, creating more than two-thirds of the net new jobs, and generating 46 percent of private gross domestic product; and
WHEREAS, small businesses employ over 55 percent of the working population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, 89 percent of consumers in the United States agree that small businesses contribute positively to the local community by supplying jobs and generating tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, 87 percent of consumers in the United States agree that small businesses are critical to the overall economic health of the United States; and
WHEREAS, 93 percent of consumers in the United States agree that it is important for people to support the small businesses that they value in their community; and
WHEREAS, Arlington supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, advocacy groups as well as public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday; and
WHEREAS, since 2002 Arlington has supported over 27,000 small business enterprises through its entrepreneurial program BizLaunch, which created approximately 108,000 jobs;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Fisette, Chair of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia, do hereby proclaim November 29, 2014, as SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY and urge the residents of our community, and communities across the country, to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.