Supporting Small Businesses: A Local Initiative with Statewide Importance
By Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri
March 2025
Small businesses are the backbone of not just Jackson Township but all of New Jersey. They provide jobs, fuel local economies, and create a sense of community that no corporate chain can replicate. As someone who is passionate about supporting small businesses, I know firsthand the hard work, dedication, and risk that entrepreneurs take to bring their dreams to life. They are the heartbeat of our town, and they deserve our support.
That’s why the Jackson Township Council launched the Small Business Highlight initiative—a way to showcase and promote the hardworking business owners who make our community thrive. Each month, we will spotlight a different small business, share their story, and encourage residents to shop local. This initiative isn’t just about recognition; it’s about action. By driving attention to these businesses, we help them grow, strengthen our local economy, and remind people of the value of supporting our neighbors.
But while we champion small businesses at the local level, they are facing significant challenges across New Jersey. Our state has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the nation at 9%, making it harder for small businesses to compete. A 2023 study ranked New Jersey 50th in the country for business tax climate, meaning we are the least business-friendly state in America. This has real consequences—small businesses struggle to expand, new ventures are discouraged, and many entrepreneurs feel forced to take their talents elsewhere.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We need real economic reform at the state level to ensure small businesses have the opportunity to succeed. That means:
Lowering the corporate tax rate so small businesses can reinvest in growth and job creation.
Cutting unnecessary red tape that slows down innovation and expansion.
Establishing meaningful support mechanisms like small business grants, mentorship programs, and streamlined permitting processes to help businesses get off the ground.
New Jersey’s 1.9 million small business employees deserve policies that work for them, not against them. We should be celebrating entrepreneurship, not making it harder for business owners to achieve their dreams.
Here in Jackson, we are doing our part to recognize and uplift our local businesses, but this effort must extend beyond our community. Small businesses aren’t just storefronts—they are families, livelihoods, and the foundation of our economy. By supporting them locally, we are setting an example for what should be done statewide.
I believe in the small business spirit. I believe in the people who take risks to build something from the ground up. And I believe that with the right policies, New Jersey can once again be a place where small businesses thrive. If we truly believe in the American Dream, we must stop punishing the very people who are working hard to achieve it.
Let’s build a future where small businesses are not just surviving, but thriving.