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, according to the United States (U.S.) Small Business Administration, there are 33 million small businesses in the nation, small businesses represent 99.7% of firms with paid employees, small businesses are responsible for 62.7% of net new jobs created since 1995, and small businesses employ 46.4% of the employees in the private sector in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, 72% of consumers reported that Small Business Saturday® 2022 made them want to shop and dine small, independently-owner retailers and restaurants all year long; and

WHEREAS, 68 cents on every dollar spent at a small business in the United States stays in the local community and every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses purchasing local goods and services; and

WHEREAS, small businesses account for 92.6% of all businesses in Salt Lake City and many of these businesses receive financial support from the SLC Economic Development Loan Fund, Neighborhood Business Improvement Program, Construction Mitigation Grants, and Community Grants program; and

WHEREAS, Salt Lake City celebrates and supports our local businesses for the jobs they create and the contributions they make to our local economy and communities; and

WHEREAS, we 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.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City, proclaim November 25, 2023, as:

Small Business Saturday in Salt Lake City

To view the electronically signed copy of the proclamation click here.