Small business key to the economic recovery

RBC I As Colorado shoppers were heading to the malls and big-box stores in search of Black Friday deals, small retailers joined the marketing chorus and asked that they not be overlooked.
Small Business Saturday 2011 was promoted in Colorado by the National Federation of Independent Business. The group hoped that shoppers will open their wallets in support of local businesses — en masse.
Citing a U.S. Small Business Administration statistic that small businesses make up 98 percent of all of Colorado employers — providing 50 percent of all private-sector jobs —NFIB Colorado president Tony Gagliardi says smaller retailers have a large role to play in the economic recovery. Shoppers can participate in that recovery as well says Gagliardi —via their wallets.
“There is only one way out of this recession, and that’s when small businesses — not big corporations — start ringing up sales. Period,” said Gagliardi.
Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, who chairs the Senate Business, Labor and Technology committee, agreed. Tochtrop says the Saturday promotion, if the call is heeded, fosters economic goodwill in local communities.
“These are our neighbors, and shopping local is neighbors helping neighbors,” said Tochtrop.
Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker, says real economic empowerment needs to come from broader measures.
“Small Business Saturday is an effective reminder of the role they play in Colorado’s economy,” said Holbert. “We need to do a better job of creating a predictable and stable business environment by limiting intrusive government regulations —allowing them to thrive on a year-round basis.”