SENATE RESOLUTION No. 61

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 26, 2018

Sponsored by:

Senator  SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

SYNOPSIS

     Encourages NJ residents to "Shop Main Street."

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

A Senate Resolutionencouraging residents of New Jersey to "Shop Main Street" during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas to support small businesses throughout the State.

Whereas, Small businesses located on the Main Street of towns anchor those towns and provide a sense of community to residents as well as visitors; and

Whereas, There are approximately 800,000 small businesses operating in New Jersey, employing an estimated 1.7 million individuals in this State; and

Whereas, These small businesses are the backbone of our State, providing services and employment to individuals throughout the State in such varied industries as finance, health care, the arts, real estate, manufacturing and retail, among many others; and

Whereas, New Jersey residents, along with consumers across the country, are encouraged to support the small businesses in their community and "Shop Main Street" during the holiday season; and

Whereas, Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving, known as "Black Friday," is the beginning of the holiday shopping season, particularly for large stores that have the resources to promote sales; and

Whereas,  It is essential for the well-being and prosperity of the small local businesses in this State, that may not have the revenue to support large scale advertising campaigns, that individuals frequent and support the businesses on Main Streets throughout the State; and

Whereas, The promotion of "Shop Main Street" is intended to promote shopping and increase sales at small local businesses, assisting them to thrive in the competitive marketplace; now, therefore,

     Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    The residents of the State of New Jersey are encouraged to observe and support "Shop Main Street" by patronizing small businesses in their communities throughout the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

     2.    Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor of New Jersey, the Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey and the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

STATEMENT

     This Senate Resolution encourages the residents of New Jersey to "Shop Main Street" throughout the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Residents are encouraged to purchase holiday gifts at smaller stores and local businesses on their Main Streets.

     There are approximately 800,000 small businesses operating in New Jersey, employing an estimated 1.7 million individuals in this State. These small businesses are the backbone of our State, providing services and employment to individuals throughout the State in such varied industries as finance, health care, the arts, real estate, manufacturing and retail, among many others.

     Small businesses located on the Main Streets of towns anchor those towns and provide a sense of community to residents as well as visitors. The promotion of "Shop Main Street" is intended to promote shopping and increase sales at small local businesses, assisting them to thrive in the competitive marketplace.