ICYMI- A small business ‘crawl’ in Fresno

Capitol Weekly
A small business ‘crawl’ in Fresno
Posted: August 7, 2014 @ 11:45

The Internet is rapidly changing how small businesses in California thrive. Business owners can reach a larger audience in more compelling and authentic ways and engage in more frequent communication and relationship building with customers. The Internet also enables the creation of virtual marketplaces and platforms that offer new ways for consumers to interact, buy, rent, barter and exchange. Small businesses and start-ups alike are among the greatest beneficiaries of the Internet’s sweeping influences across California.

The Internet plays a large role in positioning California as the world’s eighth largest economy. California reaps the benefits of the Internet economy on a daily basis; these benefits are felt statewide, far beyond Silicon Valley.

It’s critical we ensure California continues to remain a leader in technology, and that policy decisions we make here in Sacramento support innovation and help grow Internet economies across the state.

Tomorrow, I will join The Internet Association for a walking tour of several local businesses in my home district to witness first-hand how local entrepreneurs have harnessed the economic power of the Internet. The Small Business Crawl will take place in Fresno’s popular Tower District, the City’s exciting hub for dining, arts and cultural experiences. The Tower District’s character is set by a wide variety of businesses including, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, performing arts venues, theaters, galleries, bakeries, delis, plus a unique blend of specialty retail establishments that are all within walking distance of one another. The tour will showcase some of the great local businesses we have in Fresno, including:

• Chase Flower Shop, a local floral shop established in 1947. The shop’s professional florists deliver flower arrangements throughout Fresno and nationwide through their trusted florist network.
• Frosted Cakery, a local bakery owned by Beverly Gable. Frosted Cakery was started in February of 2009 when Beverly and Megan Gable, mother and daughter, noticed there was a need for creative cakes in the Central Valley.
• Dusty Buns Bistro Bus, a local Fresno restaurant that operates a brick-and-mortar Bistro in Fresno’s Tower District as well as a Bistro Bus. Dusty Buns Bistro is all about using local and organic produce to deliver some of the best sandwiches around town.
• Piemonte Italian Delicatessen, a local Fresno deli that has been providing fresh, high-quality Italian food to the Central San Joaquin Valley for over 80 years.

The tour will highlight how participating businesses are making the Internet an important element to the success of their operation. All four merchants represent very different aspects of the business community in the Fresno region. These small businesses and others like them throughout the community, provide jobs in my district and boost the local economy, so I look forward to meeting with them to better understand how Fresno is exploring and leveraging new innovative opportunities.

The Internet helps every business sector in every region across the state, especially in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley. While the region is often known for agriculture, it should also be recognized for some of the exciting restaurants, art venues, and specialty retail stores that are flourishing in the area as well. Simply put, it’s an exciting time in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley. The region is working hard to shape a future that’s blending the benefits and charm of our traditional qualities while thrusting forward to create a strong and successful economy. We have more work to do and some challenges to address; nonetheless, business and community leaders have used that unique California entrepreneurial spirit to create, and benefit from, their very own internet economy.

That’s why it’s critical we ensure California continues to remain a leader in technology, and that policy decisions we make here in Sacramento support innovation and help grow Internet economies across the state. The Small Business Crawl, which is tomorrow, August 8, from 10 a.m. to Noon, is a great way to step outside of the Sacramento policy bubble to hear directly from local business owners and get a sense for how the Internet is serving as a local economic engine. It’s important to recognize the great things our small Tower businesses are doing. The internet plays a big role in publicizing their day-to-day activities and we are pleased to highlight their work.

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