Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 3-9, 2026, as Small Business Week in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1218

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        May 3-9, 2026, as Small Business Week in  the  State
        of New York

  WHEREAS,  From  Montauk  to  Buffalo,  Plattsburgh to Binghamton and
every community in-between,  small  businesses  are  the  heart  of  our
communities  and  the  American economy, employing more than half of our
Nation's workers; and

  WHEREAS, Whether it is the diverse cuisine in the Mohawk Valley, the
unique wineries in  the  Finger  Lakes,  the  artful  breweries  in  the
Southern  Tier,  or  the  family  owned businesses of New York City, our
small businesses display the innovation and passion of New Yorkers; and

  WHEREAS, When we support small businesses,  jobs  are  created,  and
local communities preserve their unique culture: and

  WHEREAS,  According  to the 2025 Annual Report on the State of Small
Business prepared by Empire State Development, small businesses continue
to be a significant economic driver in New York State with an  estimated
94  percent  of  New  York  businesses  having fewer than 100 employees,
employing more than 34 percent of the workforce; and

  WHEREAS, The Upstate New York District offices of the U.S. NY  Small
Business  Association, which services 34 counties in New York State with
offices in Syracuse, Elmira and Albany, facilitated 587 loans in  Fiscal
Year 2025, with a value of $205 million dollars; and

  WHEREAS,   Small   businesses  overcome  numerous  challenges,  both
economic and with day-to-day operations, in order  to  consistently  and
reliably provide products, services, and jobs to our communities; and

  WHEREAS,  New  York State continues to actively support minority and
women-owned business enterprises and veteran-owned and  service-disabled
veteran-owned businesses; and

  WHEREAS,  Small  businesses of all kinds, from farms and restaurants
to antique stores and landscapers, to name a few,  are  crucial  to  the
health  of  our communities and to the State's economy overall, but have
been greatly tested during these past few years; and

  WHEREAS,  The  innovation,  diversity,  competitive  strength,   job
creation, and quality of life that small businesses bring to our economy
are vital elements for our State's long-term economic health; and

  WHEREAS, The entrepreneurial spirit of New York residents has led to
the creation and growth of emerging agricultural industries in New York,
such as craft beverages, artisanal foods, and the production of hemp and
hops; and

  WHEREAS,  Small  businesses showed great ingenuity and resilience by
adapting quickly to pandemic related restrictions and weathered economic
hardship; and


  WHEREAS,  The  future  welfare of our State depends on the continued
development of small businesses; and

  WHEREAS, By renewing our commitment to supporting small  businesses,
we  can  maintain our global competitiveness and build a stronger Nation
where everyone can succeed; and

  WHEREAS, When we join National Small Business Week, celebrated since
1963, we join in our country's recognition of the contributions of small
businesses to the American economy and their importance in ensuring  our
local communities remain as vibrant as tomorrow as they are today; and

  WHEREAS,  The  members  of  the  New  York State Legislature wish to
proclaim their recognition of small businesses as a crucial  element  in
the economy of New York State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 3-9,  2026,  as  Small
Business Week in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.