Small Business Saturday

Proclamation

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the glue that holds communities together; and

WHEREAS, according to the United States Small Business Administration, as of last year there are currently 28 million small businesses in the United States and 65 percent of net new jobs over the past two decades were created by small businesses; and

WHEREAS, 99 percent of U.S. consumers agree that it is important to support the small businesses they value in their communities, and 90 percent are willing to pledge their support for a “Buy Local” small business initiative like Small Business Saturday according to the United States Small Business Administration; and

WHEREAS, Alabama supports our local small businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, advocacy groups, public organizations and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday; and

WHEREAS, residents of our community, and communities across the country, are asked to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 26, 2016, as

Small Business Saturday

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 21st day of November 2016.

Robert Bentley

Governor