COMMUNITY

Council and chamber officials urge locals to Shop Small

Midtown and other parts of Ruidoso are loaded with small shops selling unique items

Dianne L Stallings
Ruidoso News
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Mayor Tom Battin proclaimed Nov. 25, Small Business Saturday, as part of a national and local campaign to encourage buying at small businesses.

While Teri Sodd, president of the Midtown Merchants, watches, Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Becky Brooks presents to village councilors a welcome mat reminding people to "shop small" and patronize local businesses.

Becky Brooks, executive director of the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, presented a welcome mat touting "Shop Small" to village councilors and the mayor Tuesday as Teri Sodd, head of the Ruidoso Midtown Merchants group that is active in a MainStreet effort, watched.

The proclamation noted that the Small Business Administration estimated 28.8 million small businesses operate in the united States, representing 99.7 percent of all businesses with employees, and they are responsible for 63 percent of net new jobs created over the past 20 years.

Small businesses employ 48 percent of the active workforce. On average, 33 percent of consumers' holiday shopping will be at small, independently-owned retailers and restaurants.