Gov. Bill Lee (R) has officially proclaimed April 28 to May 4 as Small Business Appreciation Week in Tennessee.
Noting that small businesses are “the backbone of Tennessee’s economy, comprising a significant portion of the State’s employment including nearly half of private-sector workforce,” and that “supporting small business owners in Tennessee strengthens the State’s resilience against economic downturns and promotes sustainable economic development,” Lee released the official proclamation on the state’s website.
He also posted the proclamation on X.
“During Small Business Appreciation Week, we celebrate TN small businesses & their contributions to our state’s booming economy, job creation & prosperity for Tennesseans,” he said.
During Small Business Appreciation Week, we celebrate TN small businesses & their contributions to our state’s booming economy, job creation & prosperity for Tennesseans. pic.twitter.com/aZ3Hjl1q4H
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) April 29, 2024
The state’s Small Business Association (SBS), is also celebrating this week.
“SBA opens doors of opportunity for the doers, dreamers, and job creators like these honored today,” said SBA Tennessee District Director David Glasgow. “They represent the restless, bold, and optimistic American spirit. When we invest in and support these innovators, our Main Streets thrive, our families have good-paying jobs, and the future of America’s next generation is unlimited.”
The U.S. Small Business Association also celebrates Small Business Appreciation week.
“For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week, which acknowledges the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners,” the group’s website says.
Small businesses can register to attend a virtual summit put on by the U.S. SBA.
In April, the General Assembly passed the largest business tax cut bill in Tennessee history.
Republicans said the bill was specifically designed to make Tennessee a more desirable place to do business.
“It’s simply a policy debate on whether or not we should cut the franchise taxes going forward, making us more competitive to other states to be able to attract businesses and retain businesses,” House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) said at the time. “It’s one of the biggest business tax cuts to business that you will probably ever see in your time in the legislature for as long as you may serve here. It’s certainly one of the biggest ones that I’ve seen, and it’s really good public policy.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter/X.
Photo “Small Business Owners” by Elle Hughes.
