Riley County Commissioners prepared for Thanksgiving by announcing usual holiday closures during their regular public meeting on Monday morning. Between discussing usual items on their agenda, however, Commissioner Ron Wells called small business owner Jan Miller to the podium.
Before doing so, Wells read aloud a “Small Business Saturday” Proclamation, officially recognizing the runner-up to Black Friday by the county.
“Business of Riley County are vital to our community’s economic health,” Wells said, “locally owned businesses contribute to our unique and vibrant community character.”
According to the US Small Business Administration, small businesses create 65% of net new local jobs, and $68 of every $100 spent at a local business return to the community through tax dollars, payroll and donations to local schools and charities.
Words from the community itself wrapped up the time spent discussing the proclamation.
“Thank you very much for dedicating this day to the hundreds of small businesses in our community,” Business owner Jan Miller told the county commission, “this proclamation recognizes the very backbone of Manhattan. A small business owner is nothing short of an economic engine. We employ hundreds of people, contribute many tens of thousands of dollars to the tax base, and are the sponsors of countless local events, youth teams and philanthropic organizations.”
