State encourages New Yorkers to shop locally on Small Business Saturday

Supporting local businesses strengthens communities, boosts local economies

Empire State Development and the New York State Departments of Labor, Taxation and Finance, and Agriculture and Markets today encouraged all New Yorkers to support their local small businesses on Small Business Saturday, which falls this year on Nov. 30. By choosing to shop locally Saturday, and every day, New Yorkers are investing in their neighborhoods, strengthening their communities, and keeping tax dollars within the Empire State.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “New York’s small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy, supporting millions of jobs, communities and families here every year. We are proud to devote substantial state support to ensuring that small businesses can thrive everywhere, but we cannot do it alone – the support of everyday customers is integral, and we encourage New Yorkers to shop at their local small businesses this Saturday and every day.”

State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Small businesses keep our downtowns vital and relevant, and truly provide the heartbeat of our local communities. Support your local small business owner this Saturday and every day because shopping small can have a big impact.”

Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Michael Schmidt said, “Celebrating Small Business Saturday by shopping local is a great tribute to our state’s entrepreneurs as they showcase their talent and ingenuity. To help small businesses flourish and further propel New York state’s economy, we provide a variety of incentives to make starting, growing, or expanding easy and affordable. I encourage all small business owners to visit our business incentives webpage to learn more about the valuable benefits available.”

State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to support local growers, farmers, processors and beverage-makers. We encourage holiday shoppers to consider choosing New York state’s top-notch craft beverages, fresh wholesome foods and wide array of wood products when they are out looking for the perfect holiday decorations, gifts and holiday party supplies. Whether it’s an NYS Grown & Certified Christmas tree, a bottle of Finger Lakes Riesling, or Taste NY jellies and jams, New York-produced goods are a cut above the rest and a great way to support our neighboring businesses.”

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% of all businesses in the state and employing more than 52% of New York’s private sector workforce. Today, New York has more than 523,000 small business proprietors, employing more than 4 million people.

Take a look at NFP's Small Business Saturday profiles:

• Baby & Me: http://bit.ly/SBSBabyMe
• Chéri Amour: http://bit.ly/SBSCheri
• Crazy Train Natural Apothecary: http://bit.ly/SBSCrazyTrain
• The Rose Hanger: http://bit.ly/SBSRoseH
• Rock Solid Tattoos and Permanent Makeup: http://bit.ly/SBSRockSolid

NYS Support for Small Business

Whether a business is starting up or looking to expand, Empire State Development and its small business division can provide assistance through an array of programs and initiatives designed to support small business growth and help entrepreneurs maximize their opportunities for success. ESD offers loans, financing, tax credits and incentives to qualifying businesses at all stages, including those designated as Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). For more information, visit ESD’s website at www.esd.ny.gov or https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/small-business-hub.

The New York State Department of Labor offers a multitude of no-cost services for businesses of all sizes, including 140,000 job postings on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Jobs Express website, access to tens of thousands of qualified candidates in a talent pool, career fairs and customized recruitments, and even human resources consultation services. More than 20,000 businesses each year work with DOL to list their jobs, find the right candidates, access hiring and training incentives, obtain business tax credits and incentives, get help with one-on-one labor law and safety and health compliance services, and find layoff aversion resources. For more information, visit: https://www.labor.ny.gov/business.

New York state offers dozens of beneficial tax breaks to help smooth the path and reduce the cost of launching a thriving business. Small businesses can access a variety of resources and programs anytime at the tax department’s dedicated business incentives webpage, a one-stop shop for details about tax credits and incentives for a variety of enterprises in various industries – from farming and agriculture to research and development to manufacturing. Businesses may also qualify for dozens of job credits and incentives for hiring and training local workers, or for tax credits and exemptions intended to encourage property improvements. The tax department’s website, www.tax.ny.gov, offers businesses and their representatives a convenient way to meet their tax obligations. The online services for businesses webpage provides efficient ways to make payments, view filing information, or otherwise interact with the tax department.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets supports New York’s over 33,000 farms, 700 farmers markets and farm stands and thousands of small agribusinesses across the state through its various programs. The NYS Grown & Certified program markets local growers and producers participating in safe food handling and environmental sustainability programs, helping them better compete in the marketplace. The Taste NY program showcases New York food and beverage businesses at large public events, and at Taste NY stores, the state’s welcome centers, displays and concessions at more than 70 locations across New York. In addition, the department’s divisions assist small agri-businesses and farmers by providing a variety of support services that enhance their business, increasing productivity, profitability and competitiveness.