Assemblyman Stirpe Sponsors Resolution in Celebration of Small Business Week
Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that he sponsored a resolution that was adopted by the state Assembly on Tuesday to proclaim May 1-7 as Small Business Week in the state of New York (K.801).
Since 1963, the United States has celebrated National Small Business Week to recognize the invaluable contributions of our nation’s entrepreneurs.[1] In New York, small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy as approximately 99.8% of all businesses in the state are small businesses[2] and employ over half of all working residents in the state, noted Stirpe.
“As most of us know, small businesses are the heart and soul of communities throughout New York. From Syracuse in Central New York to Buffalo, to Montauk, to New York City, to Plattsburgh, and all those small towns and villages in between, said Stirpe. “During Small Business Week in New York State, let’s celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that makes New York so special.”
Assemblyman Stirpe, Chair of the Assembly Small Business Committee and a former small-business owner, has been a champion for the state’s small business community. He worked tirelessly to ensure last year’s state budget included the COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Program, which has helped nearly 30,000 businesses and provided more than $500 million in relief.[3] This year, he helped enact a final state budget that secured $200 million seed funding grant program for small businesses that began operating during the pandemic; and $250 million for the COVID capital cost small business tax credit, which makes eligible a 50% tax credit of up to $25,000 to cover unexpected COVID related financial costs incurred by small businesses such as air purifiers and cleaning supplies, noted Stirpe.
“It’s no doubt the last couple of years have caused seemingly unsurmountable challenges to small businesses” said Stirpe. "The pandemic’s shortage of employees and persistent supply-chain disruptions all have impacted small businesses and while most have risen to the challenge, they still need help. That’s why I’ll continue working throughout this legislative session to ensure no business is left behind. And we must continue to show support and patronize our neighborhoods’ restaurants and pubs, independent book sellers, movie theaters, grocery and hardware stores, bike shops, hair salons, and many more.”