This week the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce announced that Cape Ann Small Business Week 2020 will be celebrated this week, September 21 through Friday, September 25, in conjunction with National Small Business Week.
Traditionally, this is a big month for the Chamber. It’s the season the Chamber is out and about on Cape Ann celebrating winners of Small Business Person “Week,” which is really four weeks of rolling events, with the Chamber hosting small (but often packed) parties honoring each individual town’s local businessperson of the year. Last year in Essex, it was BankGloucester’s Michele French. In Manchester, it was Dave Hersey of Standley’s Garage. Then, after four mini fetes, the Cape Ann Chamber team culminates the season with a large luncheon (last year at Castle Manor Inn’s Seaglass Restaurant) with Chamber CEO Ken Riehl leading senior Chamber brass and local and state officials in a big hurrah for local business. It’s also when the Chamber announces its scholarship recipients.
This year, of course is different. The winners of Cape Ann Small Business Person Week(s) are—drumroll, please—every business on Cape Ann. No one business, but rather all of our local businesses that have navigated this unusual and challenging year.
“Every year since 1981 the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has designated a special week to honor the achievements of Cape Ann’s small business entrepreneurs and their employees and salute their contributions to the economic vitality and community life of Cape Ann,” said Riehl. “Cape Ann Small Business Week 2020 should celebrate the resilience, creativity, courageousness and community spirit of every Cape Ann small business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Chamber Board of Directors approved the decision. According to the Small Business Administration, “More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create nearly two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year….[T]his year’s [National Small Business Week] will recognize the small businesses who have navigated the coronavirus pandemic while supporting their employees and communities.”
Of course, the Chamber encouraged all Cape Ann residents and visitors to celebrate Cape Ann Small Business Week in the ultimate way—by patronizing and supporting local small businesses and saying thank-you to owners and employees.
Amen to that.
