Op-Ed | $60M saved for NYC’s small businesses, but we need our holiday heroes! – amNewYork

Report on the Role of Small Businesses in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in New York City

Executive Summary

An analysis of consumer behavior and municipal support systems in New York City reveals the significant role of local small businesses in advancing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Consumer purchasing decisions, particularly during peak retail seasons, directly contribute to local economic resilience, community vitality, and responsible consumption patterns. This report outlines the alignment of small business support with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), supported by data and municipal initiatives.

SDG 8: Fostering Decent Work and Economic Growth

Small and medium-sized enterprises are fundamental to achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In New York City, their contribution is substantial:

• Employment Generation: The city’s 183,000 small businesses are a primary driver of employment, providing jobs for nearly half of the city’s private-sector workforce.
• Local Economic Circulation: An estimated 70 cents of every dollar spent at a local business remains within the community. This revenue is reinvested through employee wages, local procurement, and payments to other local service providers, creating a multiplier effect that strengthens the local economy.
• Entrepreneurship and Opportunity: Supporting local entrepreneurs like Sameer Maharajan of Queens Diamond and Jewelry, Shlomo Raskin of Raskin’s Fish Market, and Sarahi Marquez of San Jeronimo Restaurant and Bakery fosters a diverse and resilient economic landscape.

SDG 11: Building Sustainable Cities and Communities

Local businesses are integral to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. They enhance community identity and social cohesion.

• Community Vibrancy and Identity: A recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults confirms the perceived importance of these enterprises, with 84% acknowledging their critical role in community vibrancy and 72% stating that holiday seasons would be diminished without them.
• Cultural Preservation: Local businesses often serve as custodians of cultural heritage, offering specialized goods and services that reflect the diversity of the city’s neighborhoods.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Investments from Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Chambers of Commerce in seasonal decorations, markets, and events enhance the appeal of commercial corridors, fostering safe and inviting public spaces for all residents.

SDG 12: Promoting Responsible Consumption and Production

Consumer choices to support local businesses align with the principles of responsible consumption by fostering more sustainable economic models.

• Informed Consumer Trends: Survey data indicates a strong consumer preference for local shopping, with nearly 44% of holiday purchases made at small businesses and one-third of respondents making over half of their seasonal purchases locally.
• Sustainable Supply Chains: Many neighborhood businesses have adopted resilient strategies, including local manufacturing and sourcing, which can reduce transportation distances and associated environmental impacts compared to global supply chains.
• Reduced Stress on Logistics: Local purchasing mitigates reliance on long-distance shipping, offering a more reliable procurement method for consumers during peak periods.

Institutional Support and Strategic Initiatives

The New York City government, through the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), has implemented programs that directly support the viability of small businesses and their contribution to the SDGs.

1. NYC Business Express Service Team: Since 2022, this initiative has helped small business owners save over $60 million in fines and fees, enhancing their financial sustainability and capacity to provide decent work (SDG 8).
2. “Shop Your City” Program: This platform utilizes interactive maps to improve the visibility and accessibility of local retailers and service providers, encouraging residents to support their local economies and communities (SDG 11).

Conclusion and Recommendations

The symbiotic relationship between New York City’s residents and its small business sector is a powerful engine for achieving sustainable development. To further this progress, the following actions are recommended for stakeholders:

• Consumer Action: Prioritize intentional purchasing from local businesses to directly support community economic health and resilience.
• Digital Advocacy: Utilize social media and online review platforms to amplify the visibility of local enterprises.
• Community Engagement: Participate in local holiday markets and events to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that makes communities unique and sustainable.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article’s central theme is the promotion of local entrepreneurship and small businesses (“mom-and-pop stores”) as a driver for the city’s “collective economic future.” It emphasizes how supporting these businesses leads to job creation, as they “employ nearly half of our city’s workforce,” directly contributing to economic growth and employment.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article connects small businesses directly to community well-being, stating that supporting them is a “vote for a vibrant New York” and that they are essential for “community vibrancy.” It highlights how these businesses contribute to the unique culture and diversity of neighborhoods, making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The “Shop Your City” initiative is a tool for strengthening community-level economic structures.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under 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 article directly addresses this target by advocating for consumer support for small businesses and highlighting government efforts like the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), which “works relentlessly to empower and uplift neighborhood entrepreneurs.” The mention of saving businesses over $60 million in fines and fees is a clear example of a supportive policy in action.
2. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
     • The article implies this target by showcasing businesses that preserve and promote cultural traditions. Examples like “Queens Diamond and Jewelry” bringing “the beauty of South Asian craftsmanship” and “Raskin’s Fish Market” upholding “Jewish kosher and culinary traditions” show how small businesses act as custodians of the city’s living cultural heritage.
   • Target 11.a: “Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.”
     • While focused within an urban area, the principle of strengthening local economic links is central. The article quantifies this by stating, “70 cents of each one [dollar spent at a neighborhood business] remains in our communities.” This demonstrates a strong, positive economic link within the city, which is a core component of sustainable community development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 8.3 (Promote Small Enterprises)
   • Number of small businesses: The article states there are “183,000 small businesses across the five boroughs,” which serves as a baseline indicator for the size of this sector.
   • Financial support/relief for small businesses: The article mentions that the NYC Business Express Service Team “has helped small business owners save over $60 million in fines and fees,” a direct monetary indicator of supportive policies.
   • Consumer spending patterns: The poll data indicating that “nearly 44 percent of holiday shopping is done at small businesses” is an indicator of the economic contribution and consumer support for these enterprises.
2. Indicators for Target 11.a (Strengthen Local Economic Links)
   • Local economic multiplier: The statistic that “70 cents of each one [dollar] remains in our communities” is a direct indicator of the positive local economic linkage and the financial benefit of shopping locally.
3. Indicators for Employment (Related to SDG 8)
   • Proportion of employment in small businesses: The article provides a clear indicator by stating that small businesses “employ nearly half of our city’s workforce.” This measures their crucial role in providing jobs.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: amny.com