November 15, 2022
Mayor's Office
DATE: November 15, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Tom Butt, Mayor
Subject: Small Business Saturday – November 26, 2022
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Small Business Saturday was established in 2009 by
American Express to support small businesses and local
economies during the great recession and is celebrated
two days after Thanksgiving Day to encourage holiday
shopping at small and local establishments.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: PROCLAMATION declaring November 26, 2022 as Small Business Saturday in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s
Office (Mayor Tom Butt 510-620-6503).
DISCUSSION:
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 32.5 million small businesses that employ 46.8% of employees in the private sector, represent 99.7% of AGENDA
REPORT
November 15, 2022
firms with paid employees, and are responsible for 62% of net new jobs created since 1995. 79% of consumers understand the importance of supporting the small businesses in their community on Small Business Saturday, 70% report the day makes them want to encourage other to shop small, independently-owned retailers, and 66% report that the day makes them want to shop small all year long. On Small Business Saturday in 2021, 58% of shoppers reported they shopped online with a small business and 54% reported they dined or ordered takeout from a small restaurant, bar, or café.
The City of Richmond recognizes our over 2,500 small business owners and entrepreneurs, many of whom hire Richmond residents, procure products from local sources, and volunteer in our local communities, as pillars of our community and engines of economic growth that contribute to our health and success by creating new jobs, boosting our local economy, and generating tax revenue for critical municipal services. The City of Richmond is grateful to community partners like the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Main Street Initiative, and the West Contra Costa County Council of Business and Industries who provide services, resources, and advocacy to foster growth in our business community, strengthen our local economy, and improve our quality of life.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation