Today, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce will kick-off off Celebrate Small Business Week, during which the chamber promotes the impact of small businesses, that help create jobs, support families and reinvest in our community.

In Georgia, 78 percent of all businesses have fewer than 10 employees, and 95 percent of businesses have fewer than 50 employees.

“Everyday, our small business owners work diligently to grow their businesses and provide quality products and exceptional customer service,” said Jenny Savelle, vice chair of the chamber’s Small Business Resource Division and CEO and CFO of Bishop Clean Care, a locally owned small business.

The highlight of the Celebrate Small Business Week events is the Celebrate Small Business reception, during which the chamber will announce its Small Business of the Year winner. This year we have 11 nominees.

“Each business brings something different to the table illustrating that Albany has the business environment to grow just about any idea an entrepreneur can imagine,” Tommy Clark, 2015 chairman of the chamber board, said of the award nominees.

The Celebrate Small Business Week events are:

· Today, May 4 - Star Business of the Week – 11:00am, Walker Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Co., Inc., 1614 Greenvale Ave.

· Tuesday, May 5 – City of Albany and Dougherty County Joint Proclamation – 11:30 am, Mayor’s Office

· Wednesday, May 6 – Lunch & Learn-Digital Marketing – 11:30 am-1 pm, Albany Welcome Center, 112 N. Front St.

· Thursday, May 7 – Celebrate Small Business Reception – 6 pm-8 pm, Merry Acres Event Center – The 2015 Small Business of the Year will be revealed.

· Friday, May 8 – Small BusinessRibbon Cutting – 2 pm, Aha Unique Boutique, 1121 Dawson Rd.

“The chamber is passionate about promoting our small businesses. This year, we launched our Think Local campaign, which aims to stimulate and accelerate the local economy encouraging consumers and business decision makers to keep their dollars local, where the impact can be most significant,” said, Bárbara Rivera Holmes, interim president and CEO of the chamber.

For every $100 spent at a small, locally owned business, $68 stays within the local economy. Those dollars help create jobs, support families, fund government services through sales taxes, provide investment for neighborhood improvements and promote development in our community.

“Our locally-owned small businesses cover the spectrum, from restaurants to retail to service providers,” she said. “In Albany, you don’t have to look far to buy what you need and want.”

Since 1963 the president of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week. More than half of Americans either own or work for small businesses, creating about two out of every three jobs.

Follow the chamber at albanyga.com and on Facebook.