Despite being known for our giant theme parks, small businesses are all around us here in the City Beautiful — from your neighborhood grocer and favorite pizza place to your local gym and veterinarian. As of April, the SBA reports that small businesses accounted for 9.3 million new jobs in the U.S. over the last 15 years, making up 64% of the total number overall.

Florida’s workforce (10.3 million people) is the third-largest in the country, and one of the most culturally diverse, which is one reason why there are many small businesses that are LLCs in Florida. Aside from the rebounding economy and the excellent infrastructure, businesses operate in and around Orlando because of the talented workforce. This group is at most risk when small businesses suffer, and they need us more than ever right now.

In fact, roughly two-thirds of all employment in Orlando is made up of very small businesses and small-medium enterprises. As tourism plunged due to the coronavirus pandemic, so did the small businesses that are used to support it. And even though small businesses received $10,000 grants from the federal CARES act, it would still not be enough to sustain their operations and employees.

Other than the aforementioned reasons, we should also support our local small businesses because buying local keeps the money in our neighborhood. For every $100 you spend at a local business, around $68 stays within the community. Independent retailers and restaurants return more money per dollar of sales to the community than chain competitors do.

Supporting local businesses also creates strong community relationships — with residents supporting small businesses, and small businesses supporting other local businesses like banks and farms. This strengthens local influence because it allows important decisions to be made by people who live in the community and not by major chains.

Moreover, buying from small businesses also helps them help others, as 92% of small business owners donate to charities and non-profit organizations. It’s good for the environment as well, as local businesses often have a smaller carbon footprint than bigger companies.

Orlando is setting a great example in supporting small businesses during the pandemic by launching the “Pick Up Orlando” social media campaign. Locals are encouraged to post how they supported a local business, using #PickUpOrlando and tagging three friends, asking them to do the same.

Buying gift cards from local shops or restaurants may be a simple way to do this, but it sure goes a long way. So is opting for take-out and delivery from local bars and restaurants. For groceries, instead of buying from the major supermarkets, we can support our local markets first. Farmers’ markets not only provide the freshest produce, but they also need our support now more than ever.

And when shopping online, it would be great if we prioritized buying from our local shops. If your income is not as greatly affected by the pandemic, consider making a donation to a local business. You can write a check, cook meals for the workers, or offer any form of assistance that can help someone pay their bills during the coming months, or simply uplift their spirit during this difficult time.

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