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Small Business Month
May is Small Business month at the Chamber. That's a very
powerful statement.
York County is a community of small business. One of the
commonly accepted definitions of small business is one that
has less than 500 employees; 95% of our members fit that definition.
The public frequently thinks of the business community in
terms of the community's largest employers, but labor statistics
clearly demonstrate that much of a community's economic health
and well-being comes from its small and emerging companies.
The vitality of this business sector was clearly demonstrated
at the recent Business Expo. There were 289 exhibitors at
this annual event, but only a handful of them had more than
500 employees.
The opportunity to participate in the Expo is a valuable
benefit of Chamber membership. The Expo offers a means for
businesses with a limited marketing budget to make the community
aware of the products and services they offer. Thousands of
potential customers are gathered at one time in one place.
This year the Expo featured a shortened schedule. The exhibitors
with whom I spoke liked the revised, more compact format and
were quite pleased with the level of interest shown in their
business as well as the networking opportunities. Hopefully,
you and your organization took advantage of this opportunity.
Later this month we will recognize the Small Business of
the Year. This annual event is one of the highlights of the
Chamber year for me. One of four companies, C.S. Davidson,
Inc.; Electro Platers of York; Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects,
Inc.; and Star Systems Engineering, Inc. will receive
the Small Business of the Year Award.
As a finalist for the award in 1998 and winner of the Emerging
Small Business of the Year award in 1993, I can attest to
the pride that the nominees are feeling.
Please join us on May 10th, as we celebrate the success of
some of our leading small businesses.
- York County Chamber of Commerce News, May 1, 2002
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