East Orange, NJ, May 1, 2017: The City of East Orange will celebrate National Small Business Week, April 30- May 6, 2017, culminating with a Construction Trades Workshop at the East Orange Senior Center and a Small Business Tour along Central Avenue led by Mayor Lester E. Taylor III and members of his Economic Development Team.

The city will also launch a social media campaign on May 1 to encourage followers to share where they shopped small throughout the week on the city’s official Facebook page@EOCityHall using the hashtag #shopsmallEO.

 “Our small businesses are one of the major players in our mission to become a destination city,” said Mayor Taylor. “I am excited to recognize the innovators, entrepreneurs, and employees who have invested in our community and continue to contribute to our city’s overall economic growth.” 

Between 10am and 12pm on May 5th, the Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training will be hosting a Construction Trades Workshop at 90 Halsted Street to connect East Orange residents with union representatives, developers and local contractors to learn about job opportunities.

Industry experts predict that employment in the construction trades will continue to grow with employment rates rising 3% over the last year. For those entrepreneurial-minded, apprenticeships and construction experience can often lead to small business ownership. To learn more about the workshop and other job opportunities, please email David Taylor at davidalonso.taylor@eastorange-nj.gov or call 973.677.8914.

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National Small Business Week is an annual event hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration to recognize the nation's top small businesses, entrepreneurs, small business advocates and champions. Responsible for creating nearly two-thirds of net new jobs in the United States each year and employing more than half of all Americans, small businesses have always been a vital part of our country's economy.