Legislation Document

SPONSOR:	Sen. Wilson & Rep. Vanderwende
Sens. Buckson, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Huxtable, Lawson, Pettyjohn, Richardson; Reps. Baumbach, Bolden, Briggs King, Gray, Hensley, Osienski, Ramone, D. Short, Shupe, Michael Smith, K. Williams, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 51

DESIGNATING MAY 2023 AS "SMALL BUSINESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, there are more than 30 million small businesses in the United States that support nearly 60 million jobs; and

WHEREAS, every congressional district in the United States contains a small business; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s small businesses include restaurants, retail establishments, service providers, startups in healthcare and financial technology; and

WHEREAS, the small business community makes significant contributions to the state’s economy and workforce; and

WHEREAS, according to Delaware’s Division of Small Business, Delaware is home to more than 27,000 small businesses, that represent 98% of all businesses in the state; and

WHEREAS, small businesses generated $13.8 billion in wages in fiscal year 2022 and employed nearly 240,000 Delawareans, which is more than half of the state’s workforce; and

WHEREAS, Delaware's restaurant industry is the largest small business employer in the state with over 1,900 establishments and over 49,000 employees; and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s restaurant industry is a diverse and growing workforce with an estimated 4,600 jobs being added in the next 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Delaware supports small businesses through the Division of Small Business, Office of Supplier Diversity, Delaware Tourism Office, and Delaware Main Street Program; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Division of Small Business encourages people to support small businesses by shopping locally, leaving positive online reviews, and spreading the word about our wonderful local businesses.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the month of May 2023 be designated “Small Business Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Delawareans are encouraged to shop at locally owned small businesses in their communities to help keep money circulating in the local economy, supporting small businesses growth and sustainability.