The following comes from Gloucester County Freeholder Robert Damminger.
As we kick off ‘Shop, Dine, Go Local’ in Gloucester County, I feel compelled to support the interests of our independent local craft brewers in their search for fairness in the special ruling that was instituted on their industry on Sept. 27.
Gloucester County is home to eight craft breweries and we support them in their investment in our county, as employers and as our neighbors.
Small business is defined as an independent business with fewer than 50 employees. According to the Small Business Administration, more than half of Gloucester County’s employers are considered small business.
Small business is the backbone of our economy and in Gloucester County, we rely on our small businesses to help stimulate our growth and they provide our residents with an outstanding quality of life.
In 2017, Gloucester county saw a 5.4 percent increase in tourism direct sales that equates to $481 million compared to $456 million in 2016. The majority of this visitor spending is spent on lodging and food, as well as transportation and retail.
We will continue to support all of our small businesses and encourage our residents to think of them first when spending their hard-earned dollars. We are grateful that there are entrepreneurs who are dedicated to their craft, like small breweries, that bring so much to the atmosphere of our downtowns and communities.
