Comment: Where you shop and eat matter; Support SnoCo

As we welcome a new year, make an effort to support small businesses that matter in our communities.

By Dave Somers / For The Herald

By any measure, 2020 has been a difficult year. For those of us in Snohomish County, the location of the country’s first diagnosed case of covid-19, we have had to grapple with the effects of the pandemic from the very beginning. As we look forward to a New Year filled with hope and promise, we can embrace the holiday spirit and support our friends, family and neighbors by spending our dollars safely and locally.

The resilience of a community is shaped by the way it perseveres through and eventually rebounds from a crisis. Over the past year, I have seen firsthand the incredible professionalism and dedication of our first responders and essential workers. I have seen our residents demonstrate comradery and neighborly kindness in new and heartwarming ways. And I have been proud to see our community come together to ensure our economic vitality by supporting our county’s small businesses.

Where you shop for gifts, ingredients for treasured holiday recipes, or specialty items for friends and family can make a real, positive difference in the lives of all those who live and work in Snohomish County. Shopping and dining locally is more important than ever as businesses and workers have been adversely affected by covid-19 restrictions, with many relying solely on online commerce and to-go orders to see them through the end of the year.

The holidays are a terrific opportunity to build resilience and create the potential for a strong economic comeback in 2021. In fact, up to 90 percent of net new jobs in the U.S. are created by locally owned businesses. This means by supporting each other, we will have more opportunities to work, shop and play in Snohomish County next year.

In partnership with public and private entities — local chambers of commerce, cities, and towns — the county launched the SupportSnoCo.com hub to encourage all of us to shop from small businesses within the Snohomish County community. Residents, visitors, business owners and their staff can all make a difference if we work together.

The Support SnoCo hub features hundreds of local businesses, including bakeries, cafes, restaurants, boutiques of all kinds and service providers. We can help bring cheer to our main-street small businesses that have seen significant impacts to their bottom lines this year. Powered by a community coming together, this effort represents the strength and resilience of our shared home to adapt to and weather unexpected economic storms.

Together, we can continue to make a positive impact and contribute meaningfully to the hundreds of small, locally owned businesses that make up the economic backbone — and heart —of our community. Please join me in making your list (and checking it twice) by shopping local businesses through the holiday season and well into the New Year.

Wishing you and yours a safe holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Dave Somers is Snohomish County Executive.

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