Hardworking Pennsylvania Entrepreneurs

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hardworking entrepreneurs of Pennsylvania in celebration of Small Business Saturday.

Small businesses across our Nation are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities. Now, more than ever, they need our support. For small business owners, their shops are more than just a business, it is an extension of who they are.

When you think about the places that give our neighborhoods their unique character, we think about the coffee shop on the corner, the boutique where you find the perfect gift, or the family-owned diner that feels like home.

Small Business Saturday is about recognizing the value of our small businesses and showing them the support that they deeply deserve. Since its inception in 2010, the total reported U.S. spending on small businesses during Small Business Saturday is an estimated $201 billion according to data from the Small Business Administration.

SBA's data for 2023 shows the reported projected spending in the United States from those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday fell to around $17 billion. This support is crucial to small businesses across the Nation and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Small businesses play a vital role in Pennsylvania's economy. Pennsylvania is home to 1.1 million small businesses that employ 2.5 million individuals, about half of the State's private workforce.

Behind every small business is a story. It is a story of risk and resilience, of people who took a leap of faith to turn their dreams into reality, and of neighbors who refuse to give up even when the times are tough.

Small Business Saturday isn't just about shopping. It is about appreciation. It is about recognizing that when we support small businesses, we invest in the people who invest in the United States and invest in us.

It is about thanking those who contribute so much to our communities. Our entrepreneurs are leaders. They support our schools, sponsor sports teams, and give us spaces to gather, connect, and grow.

As we progress in this season of gratitude and giving, let's pause and choose small. Whether it is picking up a holiday gift from a local shop, dining at a family-owned restaurant, or simply spreading the word about a business you love, every action counts.

Mr. Speaker, supporting the local businesses within our communities not only keeps those businesses alive, but it also keeps the communities they serve thriving for generations to come.

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