Loudoun County Celebrates Small Business Week

It is officially Small Business Week in the United States, an opportunity for communities to celebrate small businesses within their local area. Loudoun County will participate in this year's national event, which will run from May 21 to May 25. 

"Small Business Week is a national initiative and it was rightfully created for the purpose of celebrating the valuable role that America’s small businesses serve as job creators and community leaders throughout our nation," said Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tony Howard. "At the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, we celebrate small businesses for 52 weeks a year, because these businesses, their owners and top employees, are the lifeblood of our Loudoun County community."

Small businesses are not only an essential part of the local economy, he said, but are the ones who offer their time, talents and treasure to support non-profits, youth athletic leagues and local schools. 

"When a customer does business with one of Loudoun County’s many outstanding small businesses, they are not only purchasing a great product or service at the best price, they are investing in their own community," Howard said, adding that when Loudoun’s local small businesses do well, the entire county benefits.

Leesburg's Mayor Kristen Umstattd said that the town's economy is based on small businesses. When they thrive, rent and homeowner taxes are held down.

"It's great for all of us to shop locally because Leesburg has it all," Umstattd said. "Our businesses offer great quality at very competitive prices and our small independent shopowners are among the friendliest and most creative in the country."

In 2009 Leesburg's small businesses put Leesburg on the map, Umstattd said, when Forbes listed the town as one of the top 17 places to move for work. It was among the top 30 places in the country for locating a small business. Last year, Money Magazine listed  

The Loudoun County Department of Economic Development and its cosponsors, which includes the Town of Leesburg, will celebrate National Small Business Week 2012 from May 20-26. For a list of upcoming events that will focus on small businesses visit the department of Economic Development online.