Celebrate Tracy’s small businesses!

As spring is an annual celebration of natural life, it is also the perfect opportunity to praise and recognize the entrepreneurs and business leaders that define Tracy, CA. The first week of May is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week, an excellent time to create awareness of the considerable contribution of Tracy’s small businesses while promoting the products and services they provide.

As Tracy’s economic development arm, the City of Tracy Economic Development group knows these small, locally-owned businesses are the lifeblood of the City of Tracy. Read on about these enterprises’ prominent role in contributing to Tracy’s exceptional quality of life and how to support them during National Small Business Week, April 30 - May 6, and all year long.

Small business importance

In its 2022 Small Business Profile, the SBA Office of Advocacy indicated 61.7 million employees, or 46.4% of the entire U.S. employee workforce, worked for small businesses. California’s profile lists 7.4 million employees, nearly 48% of the state's workforce, at 4.2 million small businesses, representing 99.8% of the state's businesses.

The American Independent Business Alliance illustrates the importance of small businesses in that independent locally-owned businesses recirculate 48% of their revenue locally compared to 13% by chain businesses. That increased local spending creates more local wealth and jobs because locally-owned businesses typically buy from other locally-owned businesses, which creates jobs.

Join us in celebrating National Small Business Week.

Small businesses are critical to the quality of life in the communities in which they exist. Their owners pay local taxes and employ local people, which helps build local economies. These business leaders are neighbors, colleagues and friends, so supporting them helps build community and social capital. From a product standpoint, locally-owned businesses typically have unique, handmade or one-of-a-kind products not found at chain stores or big online retailers.

The City of Tracy Economic Development asks the community to help celebrate National Small Business Week in several ways, including:

• Visit your favorite small businesses and let them know how much you enjoy having them in the community. Small business owners work hard, sometimes without much time off, so a word of encouragement is always welcome!
• Go out to eat one extra time, buy something special from a friend or for the house, or choose to purchase a product or service from someone locally instead of online.
• Write reviews on Facebook, Google or Yelp for each small business that has provided you with excellent customer service. People read testimonials when making purchasing decisions or even when deciding where to grab lunch. Your positive review could help them earn more business and doesn’t cost you anything!

Local support for small businesses

The City of Tracy consistently focuses on making small business operations simple and efficient. The City itself streamlines necessary administrative steps, from permitting requirements to obtaining numerous local, state and federal incentives. Tracy has no utility tax, providing instant savings of about 6% on utility costs. Additionally, effective July 1, most small businesses will see a decrease in their business license fees from the City.

Entrepreneurs starting on the business path and existing operations seeking to expand can take advantage of the region’s many resources with specific expertise in various small business economic development segments. Some of the most significant are listed below:

• iHUB San Joaquin in nearby Stockton is a California Innovation Hub system member, which offers an innovation platform for startups and entrepreneurs. 
• The San Joaquin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Northern CA Network provides free, confidential consulting and advice to help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed. 
• SCORE is an organization served by expert volunteers to offer education and mentoring for entrepreneurs and small businesses. The closest office to Tracy is in Stockton. 
• The San Joaquin County Economic Development Association is a free and confidential business resource that facilitates local business development, capital investment, job creation and economic diversification.

The City of Tracy Economic Development appreciates all the small businesses that have decided to make Tracy their home. Please contact us today for help with all your needs.