Small businesses are feeling it

As the holiday season kicks off, Senator Tom O’Mara is urging New Yorkers to shop local and support small businesses that keep local economies running.

In his weekly column, O’Mara pointed to a recent Siena College poll showing that just 39% of respondents believe New York is headed in the right direction — with affordability topping the list of concerns. From families at the dinner table to farmers in the field, those worries ripple across every part of life.

That’s why, as Small Business Saturday approaches on November 29, he’s asking residents to think local.

Why it matters

Big box stores and online giants may dominate headlines this time of year, but O’Mara says it’s small businesses that make the difference. According to the Small Business Administration, shoppers have spent an estimated $223 billion at small businesses since the “Shop Small” campaign launched in 2010 — including $22 billion last year alone.

Despite those numbers, O’Mara says the message still gets lost in the noise between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. “Small businesses are the backbone of the economy and local job creation,” he wrote. “Shop Small. Buy Local.”

O’Mara also spotlighted small business owners as key players in the community — from sponsoring youth sports teams to providing local jobs. The SBA says over half of American workers either own or work for a small business. And for the past 25 years, small businesses have created two out of every three new jobs.

NFIB President Brad Close echoed the point: “Every dollar you spend at a small business will find its way back into the community,” through wages, sponsorships, and more.

Don’t forget the tree farms

O’Mara wrapped up his message with a nod to another seasonal staple: locally grown Christmas trees. New York has nearly 20,000 acres of tree farms, generating an estimated $14 million for the state economy. He encouraged residents to support the industry by visiting one of the 875 farms listed on the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York website.

“As always,” he wrote, “I look forward to seeing some of you out there — including at one of our local tree farms.”

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