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Highland County Commissioners Proclaim November 30 as Small Business Saturday

Highland County commissioners—David Daniels, Brad Roades, and Terry Britton—held a special meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 30, during which they were honored to welcome representatives from both the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and Grow! Highland County. The commissioners took this opportunity to officially declare November 30 as Small Business Saturday, urging the community to show their support for local businesses throughout the month of November and well beyond.

Community Support for Local Businesses

The proclamation was warmly accepted by an enthusiastic group of individuals, which included staff and board members, as well as ambassadors from the organizations represented, alongside several local small business representatives. Among the attendees were Jamie Wheeler, the President of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, and Heather Noland, Enterprise Facilitator for Grow! Highland County. Other notable attendees were Kim Boyer, Haylee Brown, Amanda Hall, Heather Hughes, Mallori Johansen, Addy Knauff, Amanda Knauff, Robert Moots, Katy Jo Roades, and Rachelle Trefz.

In her remarks to the commissioners, Wheeler emphasized the vital role small businesses play in both the local economy and the larger business landscape. “Small business is the backbone of our world and our area, and we appreciate small businesses,” Wheeler stated. “November is recognized as Small Business Month, although we firmly believe every month should celebrate small businesses. We wholeheartedly encourage everyone to lend their support to local establishments.”

The Importance of Small Businesses

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Saturday, Nov. 30 marks Small Business Saturday—a dedicated day to recognize and support the impact small businesses have in our communities and the economy at large. As the pandemic continues to affect small enterprises, the SBA reminds us of the importance of this day in encouraging shoppers to buy local, emphasizing that “this year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool, and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.” This initiative has grown significantly since its inception, with projected consumer spending on Small Business Saturday hitting an estimated $17.9 billion, as reported in the 2022 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by American Express.

Engaging the Community with Creative Campaigns

In connection with Small Business Saturday, Wheeler shared exciting news about the Chamber’s plan to revive their successful “Moose on the Loose” social media campaign, running from November 4 through December 20. Last year’s inaugural campaign saw local businesses hosting a stuffed moose named “Marvin” for a day, creating buzz on social media and encouraging community engagement. This year, a fresh twist in the campaign includes a passport initiative, where community members can earn stamps by visiting participating businesses. After accumulating ten stamps, participants will be entered into a raffle for a prize basket valued at over several hundred dollars. Wheeler expressed her enthusiasm for this innovative approach, stating, “It’s just a way to encourage everyone to support our local businesses.”

Addy Knauff poses with Marvin the Moose.

Marvin’s travels are already anticipated to cover numerous spots this year. “Marvin’s going to go a lot of places, I think. Last year, he traveled a lot of miles, and so we got him stitched back up and ready to go,” Wheeler remarked, hinting at the fun awaiting the community.

To keep the public informed about Marvin’s daily locations, Wheeler recommended checking the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page consistently. “It is up to each business to engage with Marvin, and they might even offer special promotions during his visit,” she said.

Looking Forward: The Chamber’s future initiatives

Additionally, Wheeler announced that the Chamber has nearly concluded its scheduling for events in 2024. This includes their successful inaugural STEEL (Strengthening Together Experienced and Emerging Leaders) Conference, held on October 22. Daniels shared positive feedback he has received about the conference, showcasing the value and impact of such initiatives in the community. “Now it’s time to start planning for 2025, which will mark the 35th anniversary of the Chamber,” Wheeler added, highlighting the ongoing commitment to enhance community engagement and business support.

After hearing from local business representatives, Daniels officially read the proclamation designating Nov. 30 as Small Business Saturday. He appealed to all citizens to partake actively and support small businesses, reinforcing that “together, let us recognize the invaluable contributions of our small businesses and their commitment to strengthening our local economy.”

A New Director for Workforce Development

In other significant economic development news, Highland County Economic Development Director Julie Bolender introduced the commissioners to Heith Brown, who has recently been appointed as the new workforce development director (formerly known as the ACCESS director). According to former director Tim Dettwiller, the aim of the Highland County ACCESS program is to create open communication among schools, businesses, and community agencies while promoting effective learning that equips students for their future careers.

Transitioning from his role as a math teacher at Hillsboro Christian Academy, Brown brings valuable experience, not only as an educator but also as an assistant football coach for Hillsboro High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and is pursuing a master’s in higher education. “I’m very excited,” Brown told the commissioners about his new role. “I decided to leave teaching when this position came open because this allows me to help kids all over the county, rather than just those at Hillsboro Christian Academy.”

Fostering Connections and Opportunities

Brown aims to forge connections with local businesses and students to facilitate fruitful partnerships. Bolender noted that his responsibilities would encompass collaborating with both employers and those individuals who have left school, particularly through OhioMeansJobs initiatives. This broad approach is set to nurture and inspire adults looking for workforce development opportunities, whether through internships or other forms of hands-on experience.

In a focused effort to reach out to local superintendents in the coming weeks, Brown will also be proactively contacting local industries to discuss becoming host sites for various initiatives. “For families of high school students, when they hear ‘Mr. Brown has an opportunity,’ we strongly encourage you to consider letting your students participate. It’s about exploring their futures,” Bolender emphasized.

Expanding Workforce Development Programs

Furthermore, Bolender elaborated on the success of previous phlebotomy classes at Greenfield’s Workforce Development Center for high school students. Encouraged by the interest shown, they are exploring the prospect of opening this program up to other residents of Highland County. “We’ve had quite a bit of inquiry. Some of them we’ve referred to Southern State, but we believe we can facilitate an evening class in Greenfield as well,” Bolender said.

The commissioners expressed gratitude to Bolender and Brown for their updates and welcomed Brown to his new role with enthusiasm. “It’s good to see you come in here, and I hope you just keep the excitement going,” Roades remarked, reflecting the positive outlook for future developments.

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Conclusion

The Highland County Commissioners’ proclamation for Small Business Saturday reflects a community-wide commitment to supporting local enterprises while the introduction of initiatives like workforce development programs illustrates proactive steps toward enhancing economic stability in the region. As businesses prepare for the holiday shopping season, leveraging tools like the AI legalese decoder can aid in overcoming legal hurdles, allowing them to thrive in a supportive local environment.

For more updates and opportunities following the meeting, check back on highlandcountypress.com.

Publisher’s Note: A free press is essential for maintaining well-informed citizens. While many news outlets opt for costly subscriptions or paywalls, The Highland County Press has provided free access to essential news for our community for the past 25 years. Your contributions are invaluable in helping sustain this service. Donations can be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please write "for website" on the memo line.

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