Editor’s note: Below is a proclamation signed by Buckhannon mayor Robbie Skinner declaring Saturday, Nov. 28 Small Business Saturday throughout the City of Buckhannon. Small Business Saturday is intended to help small businesses gain exposure and to inspire consumers to shop within their own communities during the holiday season.

“Whereas, the small business sector contributes significantly to the framework of the United States economy and, in Buckhannon, small businesses (having 100 or fewer employees) comprise 98 percent of all businesses and employ more than half of the City’s private sector workforce; and

Whereas, the owners and operators of small businesses foster economic growth through the creation of jobs and the production of goods and services for people across State of West Virginia and around the globe; these businesses also represent a base of manufacturing and exporting for U.S. products and services; and

Whereas, working toward a new era of progress and competitiveness through investments in small businesses, Buckhannon supports these businesses as a critical component of restoring and rebuilding a healthy economy, as the perseverance, hard work, and resourcefulness of small business owners form the foundation of our prosperity and success; and

Whereas, during these economically-challenging times, small businesses are critical to our nation’s recovery and growth as a significant source of revenue and new private sector jobs and, historically, small businesses create the vast majority of net new jobs coming out of a recession, often hiring when larger companies are continuing to downsize; and

Whereas, with the 2020 Holiday shopping season upon us, the period from Black Friday to Cyber Monday is one of the busiest times of the year for retailers, and Saturday, November 28, 2020 is being observed across the country as “Small Business Saturday,” celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners, and highlighting the resourcefulness, ingenuity, and innovativeness of these individuals who are a key force in driving the economy of our state and nation; and

Whereas, Buckhannon’s small business owners have realized success through their vision, hard work, and commitment to operating a business daily, and their efforts are critical to building a better Buckhannon today and in the future and, therefore, it is fitting that we join in this initiative and show support for small business owners, recognizing their valuable role and contributions to our economy and our lives;

Now, Therefore, I, Robert Neal Skinner, III, Mayor of the City of Buckhannon, do hereby recognize November 28, 2020 as SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY in the City of Buckhannon and encourage the continued support and development of our small business sector.”

Friday, Nov. 20, 2020