October 4, 2013
Welcome to My City, My Biz Small Business Expo
It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to the 2013 My City, My Biz Wisconsin Small Business Expo. Locally owned small businesses are the backbone of any thriving neighborhood and provide the thread that weaves our community together.
Communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage. Locally owned businesses build strong neighborhoods by sustaining vibrant business centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.
Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts and benefits of those decisions. Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community and strengthening our neighborhoods.
Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class. Neighborhood businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than the big chains do.
Locally owned small businesses help sustain a vibrant business center, which are essential to re-vitalizing inner-city neighborhoods. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services than the big box stores.
Creating a local marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. Having locally owned businesses thrive by providing products based on the needs of neighborhood customers will guarantee a much broader range of product choices and strengthen our community by bringing people together for the common good.
I love the spirit, culture and history of Milwaukee. But what I love most about our city is the people. The unique spirit of the individuals who call this home are what makes Milwaukee great. It is the ideas, innovations and spirit of our people that continue to brighten and strengthen our city.
As always, I am here to serve you. If you have any question regarding how the state of Wisconsin supports the growth and expansion of small businesses, never hesitate to connect with me at (414) 342-7176 or by email at Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov. Again, I thank you for your participation in this year’s My City, My Biz Small Business Expo and wish you and your families the greatest of success in 2014.
