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There’s a new entrepreneurial spirit here, just look around

It seems new businesses are popping up all around our region.

It’s wonderful to see storefronts covered with brown paper and bows or ribbons in anticipation of a grand opening or a ribbon cutting to mark an expansion.

Whether a new craft brewery or jewelry store, women’s accessories, cigars, unique gifts, real estate services, it’s apparent there is a new entrepreneurial spirit in play in our region.

Is this awful virus a motivation for people to get out and do something new … or do something they’ve always wanted to do but were unwilling to take the risk?

We think so.

Housing sales are hot. Retail vacancy rates are low. There are plenty of jobs out there.

Of course, it does matter where you live.

Some communities are more fortunate than others when it comes to economic activity.

That’s right, it’s not all sunshine and roses.

It wasn’t too long ago when many businesses shuttered or significantly reduced hours and manpower due to COVID.

There was the Paycheck Protection Program and extended/more unemployment benefits.

The end of the year, typically a time for small businesses to thrive on holiday sales, in 2020 offered little good cheer.

Sales for some are not back to pre-pandemic levels.

Over 20% of small businesses say their sales levels are still less than half of what they were before the public health crisis.

And so here we are, nearing the end of 2021 and about two years into a pandemic that is still wreaking some havoc.

But it appears a fundamental change has and is taking place among the hearts, souls and minds of people.

Forget what you see and hear on Wall Street.

Economic recovery begins with small businesses.

And a key ingredient to small businesses’ success is local shoppers.

You know, those people who really do care about the economic and civic health of their communities.

Are you one of those people?

If you are not, we suggest you look around and stop taking for granted what’s right in front of you — or should we say, just down the road.

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