By Jeff Bartlett, Co-Founder and President of ConsumerTrack, Inc.  

                By                    Jeff Bartlett

The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a devastating blow to small businesses across the country. During the peak of the pandemic in May 2020, 23% of small- and medium-size businesses were closed. And unfortunately, many of them ended up closing permanently — the pandemic resulted in the permanent closure of roughly 200,000 more U.S. establishments than the amount that typically close in any given year.

2021 Small Business Spotlight: Check Out Our Small Business Stories, Plus the Nominated Businesses Near You

Fortunately, it seems like the worst is behind us. Thanks to the rollout of the vaccine, many states have reopened their economies, allowing the small businesses we love to reopen their doors and return to business as usual. But after a year of hardship, these small businesses will need our support more than ever.

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We’ve received over 1,000 submissions, showing just how passionate Americans are about the local businesses they love. These range from a music school for kids in New Jersey to a lavender farm in Arizona to a bath and body business in Illinois. All of these businesses contribute something special to their local communities, and we’re proud to recognize them for all that they bring to the people they serve.

We hope that our series inspires you to discover new businesses in your own state, or even to start a small business of your own. And, remember, we are still accepting nominations for the Small Business Spotlight — we will continue our support of all small businesses and keep building out this spotlight as long as it takes to get our nation’s small businesses back on their feet.

Do you have a small business you want to see in this spotlight? Just let us know.

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