Recognizing and Celebrating the 2018 Small Business Week Celebration in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (“Chamber”) is partnering with Comcast Business to present the 2018 Small Business Week from March 5-9, 2018. This week-long campaign highlights our region's commitment to small and growth-oriented businesses featuring educational programs and networking opportunities for our region’s small businesses and entrepreneurs; and

WHEREAS, Small Businesses are an economic engine for Philadelphia’s local and regional economy; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) reported that, “Small businesses continue to be incubators for innovation and employment growth in the Unites States.” SBA also reported that small firms account for 63% of the net new jobs created between 1993 and mid-2013, which equals 14.3 million of the 22.9 million net new jobs. The impact of small business are indisputably far-reaching and vital to the United States economic well-being; and

WHEREAS, The Chamber’s mission is to attract, retain and grow jobs for the City and region. The Chamber follows principles of economic competitiveness to guide public policy and will work with other organizations to advance an agenda leading to economic growth and prosperity; and

WHEREAS, The Chamber representing over 600,000 employees throughout the region, advocates for public policy to grow Pennsylvania’s economy, create jobs, and put the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on a fiscally sound path for the future; and

WHEREAS, The Chamber’s Roadmap for Growth initiative focuses on how to support economic growth within Philadelphia’s many neighborhoods. This initiative encourages growth along commercial corridors, business improvement districts, improves the quality of life for residents, reduces barriers for immigrant entrepreneurs, and dovetails this work with local workforce development efforts. Channeling the growth potential in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods may help reduce the high poverty rate; and

WHEREAS, The CEO Access Network of Greater Philadelphia (“Network”) was formed by The Chamber to create an informal network of relationships between large business CEO’s and minority entrepreneurs in order to drive business and create economic opportunity for urban businesses and residents; and

WHEREAS, This year’s celebrations for Small Business Week 2018 will be hosted by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Comcast Business. Events will include a series of networking events, a Small Business Webinar, and a Small Business Day at City Hall; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and celebrate the 2018 Small Business Week Celebration in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Rob Wonderling, President and CEO of The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and its membership, as evidence of sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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