Recently in the Local Business Category

Things are really popping - tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we are less than 3 days from Small Business Saturday.   The country has come alive with preparations for Thanksgiving; families and friends are gathering and everywhere you turn there is an air of joy and festivity.  

WIPP members across the country have rallied in support of our small businesses for their strength is our strength.  We know that wherever there are thriving small businesses, you will find a thriving community.  

The Board of Directors of WIPP, and its team in Washington DC and San Francisco wish to thank you for all of your efforts year long.    Your advocacy and passion is demonstrated every single day; your commitment to collaboration and support of one another is outstanding.    You are a role model for our country - for it is only when we rally together that we will experience positive change.   

With best wishes for health and happiness,

Barbara

PS - I thought you might like to see this blog posted on the White House Blog today:

Support Your Local Businesses on "Small Business Saturday"
Posted by Karen Mills at
 
You've heard of Black Friday. And Cyber Monday. But did you know that this Saturday is Small Business Saturday? We're encouraging everyone to visit a small business to do some holiday shopping this Saturday.
As President Obama said in a message out to all Small Business Saturday supporters:

From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation's promise.  These businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, helping spur economic development in communities across our country and giving millions of families and individuals the opportunity to achieve the American dream.  Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21st century.

When you walk down Main Street in any city in America, you can often find great restaurants, service providers, and handcrafted, Made-in-America products from local shops. It's wonderful to simply go in and visit with local business owners and hear what's happening in the community.
 
There are many people in my life that appreciate a unique gift from a local business, like the blueberry jam I pick up at the Farmers' Market in my hometown of Brunswick, Maine. This Saturday, I'm planning to go back to that market early in the morning, and then I will travel to Roslindale, Massachusetts, to celebrate Small Business Saturday with Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Many other top-level officials throughout the Administration are also "shopping small" this Saturday.
Everyone knows that your dollar goes a long way at when you buy a product or service from a small business. That money goes right back into the local economy. And that's important, because half of working Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create two out of every three new jobs.
 
It's great to find the perfect gift from a small business. Often, when you carry it to the counter, you can see the business owner's eyes light up. They tell a story about how that gift was made. Or where it came from.  Or how it's a one-of-a-kind.  And the gift immediately becomes even more meaningful and special. Moments like that are what makes the holidays magical.
 
In addition to our support for Small Business Saturday, the SBA is working hard to make sure even more small businesses can keep growing. For example, we had an all-time record for SBA loans this year, with over $30 billion in lending support that helped about 60,000 small businesses buy a new building, get more equipment, or hire more workers. And, right now, the President is calling on Congress to cut in half the payroll taxes for small businesses as part of the American Jobs Act.
 
Let's all do our part to support America's small businesses as they continue to strengthen our economy and create jobs. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Small Business Saturday, and Happy Holidays.
 

The SBA Jobs Act Tour is a remarkable occasion to meet with leaders from the SBA and other small business owners. During this event you will have the opportunity to give your input on new regulations and take advantage of new business tools. Representatives from the SBA will be present to explain how your business may acquire an SBA loan, how to compete for federal contracts, tips on finding a mentor, and more!  
 
When the Small Business Jobs Act was signed into law last year, WIPP provided its members with the following summary highlighting the specific provisions benefiting small businesses. To review the WIPP summary on the Jobs Act, click here.

Please click here to visit the SBA Jobs Act Tour webpage and RSVP. Dates and locations for the tour are as follows:
 
Miami - March 28
Columbus - March 28
Atlanta - March 30
New York - March 30
Boston - April 1
San Antonio - April 1
San Diego - April 11
Albuquerque - April 11
Denver - April 13
Seattle - April 13
Chicago - April 15
Huntsville - April 15
Washington, DC - TBD

Special Guest Blog by Julie Reiser, President/CEO, Made in USA Certified, Inc.

I am embarrassed to admit this but, I had no idea until today that December is National Made in America Month!  How huge is that? December!  How come no one ever talks about that? The biggest retail shopping month of the entire year!

How could we have all missed this all these years?

So, I went right to the internet to find out more about who proclaimed it, when & why!  After doing so- I felt strongly that it is really important for EVERY American to understand the background of the proclamation and the best way to do that is to hear from the man himself--our late, great, President Ronald Reagan who coined the phrase, "Trust but Verify"! (Our company slogan is "Trust but Certify!"- and we have a special place in our hearts for the 40th President of the United States.)

So, let's take a look back together--shall we?

Read it Here: Proclamation 5587 -- Made in America Month, 1986
December 8, 1986 - By the President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan

This proclamation written on December 8th, 1986 is even MORE relevant today in December 2010- than ever before in our nations history. After over 2 decades of outsourcing our jobs, our factories, our businesses and money- this National Made in America Month takes on a truly more urgent and profound meaning!

I am so inspired that President Reagan felt so strongly about this issue - that he proclaimed December ( the busiest shopping month of the whole year)--National Made in America Month!  I don't see that as an accident or coincidence. He was actively seeking to bring awareness to consumers and encourage patriotic spending to fuel American business, growth and jobs to combat the massive amount of money spent on imports. Exactly what we needed then and what we so desperately need today!

President Ronald Reagan stated, "I invite the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities to celebrate the excellence of American products."

Now, the fact that none of us really know this and there is no pomp and circumstance, celebrations, ceremonies or activities around this--appears to be again, no accident. Most of the real money--is in Corporate America, big business--and lets face it, they are all really in it for the profits and import the heck out of everything!  They just care about their bottom lines and their bonuses - they don't care about us. That is the cold, hard, truth!

We care about us- notice us- is U.S. without the periods? We are all on the front lines of this economic recession that never seems to end- and WE CAN make a difference. WE are not insignificant and your choices everyday do matter. So, given the choice -support your U.S.A manufacturers, their families, their employees and their families- and lets put America back to work. December is THE perfect month to be National Made in America Month!

So, please this Holiday Season- forget big importing corporate America- and let's stand together and support America!  Buy American--Buy Made in U.S.A. - shop your main streets, you local businesses, and lets keep our neighbors, our communities and this country in business!

This is NATIONAL MADE IN AMERICA MONTH-- so, America - get ready to Buy American and look for that "Made in USA" Label / "Made in USA Certified" Seal this Holiday Season!!

And again, as Reagan stated way back in 1986, "Now is the time, therefore, for consumers both here and abroad to take a fresh look at what America has to offer. American technology and management are second to none, and the skill and resourcefulness of the American worker are the envy of the world. Not only does "Made in the U.S.A." symbolize excellence of quality and design, but our products are now available at more competitive prices."

God Bless Our Beautiful Country!

Julie Reiser is a WIPP Advocacy Partner and the President/CEO of Made in USA Certified, Inc., a 3rd party verification company that provides 3rd party assurance and Seal. To learn more about her company, please visit www.usa-c.com.