Small businesses play a vital role in our society, from providing income for their owners and employees to offering enriching products and services to communities. What’s more, they help to drive the local economy, giving it a boost even in tough economic times. Here, the community engagement professionals at the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce of New York, list four reasons why small businesses are an integral part of our society.

• Create Local Jobs: Small businesses employ over 50 million Americans, providing job opportunities and financial stability for a multitude of people and their families. They also create more new jobs than large corporations, which makes them essential to the economic development of the local area and the U.S. economy as a whole.
• Provide Access to Services: When a community makes room for many small businesses, the area benefits from a dynamic range of services and amenities. For example, movie theaters in a small town add entertainment options for residents while bringing in money from nearby communities.
• Increase Tax Income: When you shop at small businesses, the tax dollars you spend benefit the local community. Local businesses pay income, property, and employment taxes, generating money for your town that is used to improve public services and schools.
• Create Community Identity: Small businesses contribute to the identity of their local community by creating a unique patchwork of character, creativity, and charm. Customers are drawn to local businesses for the one-of-a-kind products and services they offer, generating revenue and helping to bolster local tourism.   

The community engagement team at the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce promotes economic development and job creation by championing the needs of local small businesses. Call (631) 423-6100 to speak to a member of their team about local events, or visit them online to learn more about community engagement opportunities.