Assembly Resolution No. 1218

BY: M. of A. Buttenschon

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 3-9, 2026, as Small Business Week in the State
of New York

WHEREAS, From Montauk to Buffalo, Plattsburgh to Binghamton and
every community in-between, small businesses are the heart of our
communities and the American economy, employing more than half of our
Nation's workers; and

WHEREAS, Whether it is the diverse cuisine in the Mohawk Valley, the
unique wineries in the Finger Lakes, the artful breweries in the
Southern Tier, or the family owned businesses of New York City, our
small businesses display the innovation and passion of New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, When we support small businesses, jobs are created, and
local communities preserve their unique culture: and

WHEREAS, According to the 2025 Annual Report on the State of Small
Business prepared by Empire State Development, small businesses continue
to be a significant economic driver in New York State with an estimated
94 percent of New York businesses having fewer than 100 employees,
employing more than 34 percent of the workforce; and

WHEREAS, The Upstate New York District offices of the U.S. NY Small
Business Association, which services 34 counties in New York State with
offices in Syracuse, Elmira and Albany, facilitated 587 loans in Fiscal
Year 2025, with a value of $205 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, Small businesses overcome numerous challenges, both
economic and with day-to-day operations, in order to consistently and
reliably provide products, services, and jobs to our communities; and

WHEREAS, New York State continues to actively support minority and
women-owned business enterprises and veteran-owned and service-disabled
veteran-owned businesses; and

WHEREAS, Small businesses of all kinds, from farms and restaurants
to antique stores and landscapers, to name a few, are crucial to the
health of our communities and to the State's economy overall, but have
been greatly tested during these past few years; and

WHEREAS, The innovation, diversity, competitive strength, job
creation, and quality of life that small businesses bring to our economy
are vital elements for our State's long-term economic health; 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, Small businesses showed great ingenuity and resilience by
adapting quickly to pandemic related restrictions and weathered economic
hardship; and


WHEREAS, The future welfare of our State depends on the continued
development of small businesses; and

WHEREAS, By renewing our commitment to supporting small businesses,
we can maintain our global competitiveness and build a stronger Nation
where everyone can succeed; and

WHEREAS, When we join National Small Business Week, celebrated since
1963, we join in our country's recognition of the contributions of small
businesses to the American economy and their importance in ensuring our
local communities remain as vibrant as tomorrow as they are today; and

WHEREAS, The members of the New York State Legislature 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 3-9, 2026, 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.