- March 14, 2025
Small businesses, or mom-and-pop stores, are the backbone to the county’s economy. In fact, small businesses create 75% of net new jobs in the U.S., according to Joe Roy, area manager of the Palm Coast Business Assistance Center.
Here in Flagler County, officials have initiated a movement to keep money local: Saturday, Aug. 4, will be Small Business Saturday.
“Somehow, our small business owners still have the passion to find their dream in an economy that simply seems to stagger,” Roy said.
According to Roy, approximately 19 new small businesses employing about 77 people opened last year.
City Manager Jim Landon said promoting the county’s small businesses is part of the city’s Prosperity 2021 plan.
Landon said: “The goal here is throughout the Business Assistance Center, try to encourage people not to drive down the highway to spend their dollars. It’s one thing to have those new dollars come into town; it’s another thing if we don’t spend those new dollars here.”
The goal is to get Flagler County residents to spend $25 at a small business that day.
Promoting the small businesses can also put away the gloom of the state and national economy, Roy said.
“We can create an environment which tries to bring people together,” he added.
Landon said another goal is to bring traffic to retail plazas that are struggling, such as the Palm Harbor Shopping Center.
“So, this is really trying to promote that, and if you can get the traffic in that neighborhood, I think it helps everybody. ... It helps the whole center build some synergy,” he said.
Mayor Jon Netts said one of the main draws of Small Business Saturday is bring recognition to businesses that residents might not know existed. One example Netts gave at last week’s City Council meeting was when he purchased fresh produce at a shop in City Marketplace. He said he didn’t even know the store existed.
“This will do a tremendous job of promoting our local businesses, and I thank you for doing it,” Netts said.
Small Business Saturday is sponsored by the Palm Coast Business Assistance Center and the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates.
To view the list of participating businesses, visit www.palmcoastbac.com and open the "Small Business Saturday" tab.
For more, contact the Business Assistance Center at 986-4764.
