The Town Council gets behind local small businesses, saying they're the heart and soul of communities like #MiddletownRI. The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce invites people to participate in its fifth annual "Business Walk" Friday.
SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN MIDDLETOWN
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (NOVEMBER 13, 2024) – The Town of Middletown is getting squarely behind “Small Business Saturday.”
The Town Council recently adopted a resolution making Nov. 30 Small Business Saturday to help draw attention and support for the countless firms, stores and outfits that call the community home.
The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is holding its fifth annual Business Walk Friday from 11 am-2 pm throughout Newport County. Participants are asked to meet at Chamber headquarters at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport at 10 am to meet up and gather in small groups before heading out on the walk.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues said like most places across the United States, small businesses form the heart and soul of Middletown in so many ways.
Whether that’s providing good jobs or places for people to meet and purchase goods and services to supporting fundraisers for local schools and more, Rodrigues said Middletown truly appreciates its small businesses.
“One of the major reasons every successful town thrives is because of small businesses,” Rodrigues said. “They’re the backbone of communities like Middletown.”
Reading from the resolution adopted unanimously by the council, Rodrigues noted there are 34.7 million small businesses throughout the country.
He continued that they represent 99.7 percent of firms with paid employees and are responsible for more than 61 percent of all net new jobs created since 1995. They also provide work for close to 46 percent of all private sector employees.
On an economic front, Rodrigues said 68 cents of every dollar spent with small businesses remains in the local economy. As good, he noted that every dollar spent at a small business generates an additional 48 cents in local business activity from the purchase of local goods and services.
Importantly, Rodrigues said the statistics showed that 59 percent of those who were aware of Small Business Saturday shopped or ate at an independently owned shop or restaurant on that day last year.
Finally, he suggested that Middletown residents shop local everyday as much as possible because it helps make the community a stronger, more vibrant place.
“I think this is really important,” Rodrigues said. “You don’t realize what is spent and how much of it is spent and what jobs they create with the local economy…Small businesses are a huge part of every community in the country, not just Middletown."
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Small-Biz
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.com