Governor proclaims Nov. 29 Small Business Saturday in Alabama – Alabama Political Reporter

Report on Alabama’s Small Business Saturday Proclamation and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A proclamation was signed by Governor Kay Ivey designating Saturday, November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday in Alabama. This initiative highlights the critical role of small enterprises in achieving sustainable economic growth and community development, aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Economic Contribution and Support for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The proclamation underscores the function of small businesses as the primary driver of Alabama’s economy, directly contributing to SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Dominant Economic Presence: According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2025 profile, Alabama is home to 465,610 small businesses.
• Majority Share: These enterprises constitute 99.4 percent of all businesses within the state.
• Significant Employment: Small businesses are a vital source of employment, providing jobs for 46 percent of Alabama’s workforce, thereby fostering economic security and reducing inequality.

Furthermore, the involvement of Alabama’s small businesses in international trade supports economic diversification and integration into the global market.

1. Export Volume: Over 3,337 small businesses in Alabama engage in exporting goods.
2. Financial Impact: These exports amount to a total of $4.2 billion.
3. State Contribution: This figure represents 16.4 percent of the state’s total exports, showcasing the sector’s role in fostering robust industry and innovation (SDG 9).

Strengthening Local Communities and Advancing SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The Small Business Saturday initiative promotes the vitality of local communities, a key objective of SDG 11. The economic activity generated by these businesses has a significant local multiplier effect.

• Local Economic Retention: An estimated 67 cents of every dollar spent at a local small business remains within the community.
• Secondary Economic Activity: Each dollar spent generates an additional 50 cents in local activity through employee spending and business-to-business transactions.

By encouraging consumers to support local enterprises, the initiative strengthens community resilience, supports local infrastructure, and contributes to the creation of sustainable and inclusive local economies.

Collaborative Efforts and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The promotion of Small Business Saturday exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership, a principle central to SDG 17. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving various entities dedicated to sustainable development.

Key Stakeholders:

• State Government: The Office of Governor Kay Ivey.
• Federal Agencies: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Alabama District Office.
• Business Advocacy Groups: The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

This partnership between government and business organizations demonstrates a unified commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The initiative encourages responsible consumption patterns (SDG 12) by urging citizens to “shop small,” thereby investing directly in the social and economic fabric of their communities and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on the role of small businesses as the “backbone of our economy.” It highlights their contribution to job creation, stating they employ 46 percent of Alabama’s workforce. The promotion of “Small Business Saturday” is an initiative to stimulate local economic activity, drive “statewide growth,” and support entrepreneurship, all of which are central tenets of SDG 8.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is connected through the article’s emphasis on how small businesses are the “glue that holds communities together” and “bring life to every Main Street.” The text explains that money spent at these businesses stays within the local community, supporting investments and services that help “keep our communities thriving.” This focus on strengthening local economies and fostering community vitality aligns with the objectives of SDG 11.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

  The Governor’s proclamation of “Small Business Saturday” is a clear example of a development-oriented policy aimed at supporting small enterprises. The article repeatedly emphasizes job creation (“Small businesses…create jobs”) and the importance of “championing local entrepreneurs.” The entire initiative is designed to encourage the growth of the 465,610 small businesses operating in Alabama.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

  The article supports this target by illustrating how statewide recognition of Small Business Saturday strengthens local economies across Alabama, “from the Shoals to the Gulf of America.” It highlights the positive economic link created when consumers “shop locally,” as this directly funds “the jobs, services and investments that keep our communities thriving.” The statistic that “67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community” quantifies this positive economic linkage.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article provides several specific data points and implied metrics that can be used as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Indicators for SDG 8

• Number of small businesses: The article states there are “465,610 small businesses operating across the state.” This is a direct indicator of the size of the small business sector.
• Share of total businesses: Small businesses account for “99.4 percent of all Alabama businesses,” indicating their prevalence in the economy.
• Share of employment: Small businesses are shown to employ “46 percent of Alabama’s workforce,” a key indicator of their role in job creation.
• Value of exports from small businesses: The article mentions that “3,337 Alabama small businesses export goods worldwide, totaling $4.2 billion,” which measures their contribution to global commerce and economic productivity.

Indicators for SDG 11

• Local economic reinvestment rate: The article implies this indicator by stating, “It’s estimated that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community.” This measures the direct economic benefit to the community.
• Local economic multiplier effect: An indicator is implied when the article notes, “every dollar spent at a small business creates another 50 cents in local activity.” This measures the secondary economic impact on the community.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: alreporter.com