Assembly Resolution No. 355

BY: M. of A. Stirpe

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 5-11, 2019, as Small Business Week in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, In New York, the dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of
small businesses, minority-and women-owned businesses, and entrepreneurs
are vital to the prosperity and vibrancy of every community across this
great State and nation; and

WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, over 608,000
enterprises qualify as small businesses in New York State, comprising 98
percent of the State's established firms with 100 or fewer people; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade
Administration reported that 37,949 companies exported goods from New
York State in 2015, and of these, 35,642 or 94% were small and
medium-sized firms, which generated 57% of New York's total known export
value; and

WHEREAS, New York small businesses employed 4.1 million people, or
54 % of the private workforce, in 2017 and has created 261,963 new jobs
since 2013; and

WHEREAS, New York State actively supports Minority and Women Owned
Business Enterprises (MWBE) by supporting a State procurement
contracting goal of 30% from MWBE firms; and

WHEREAS, The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act of 2014
promotes and encourages participation of service-disabled veteran-owned
businesses (SDVOBs) in New York State's public procurement process; and

WHEREAS, The innovation, diversity, competitive strength, job
creation, and quality of life that small businesses bring to our economy
are vital elements of our State's long-term economic health; and

WHEREAS, Small business owners possess the dedication and
entrepreneurial spirit to develop and market new technologies, thereby
bringing more capital into the business market and further strengthening
our economy; and

WHEREAS, Small businesses in New York State exert a strong positive
influence on the political, economic, and social development of the
State, and the future welfare of the State depends on the continued
development of small businesses; and

WHEREAS, The entrepreneurial spirit of New York residents has led to
the creation and growth of emerging agricultural industries in New York
such as craft beverages, artisanal foods, and the production of hemp and
hops; and

WHEREAS, The members of the New York State Assembly wish to proclaim
their recognition of small businesses as a crucial element in the
economy of New York State; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare May 5-11, 2019, as Small
Business Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.