By Tess Malijenovsky
Mayor Keyserling made the official proclamation at Tuesday’s public Beaufort City Council meeting that Saturday, November 26, (the first Saturday after Thanksgiving) will officially be “Small Business Saturday.” This proclamation was made in effort to support small, local businesses, which not only benefits the community and its economy but also that of the nation’s.
During public comment, members of the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCC) stepped forward to thank the council members for a grant that will help fund a rural Micro-entrepreneur Assistance Program. The money will be used for business-based technical training for small and/or disadvantaged business owners. Beaufort’s is the only Black Chamber of Commerce to receive the grant. With the support of City Council, the BCC achieved its first 2011 goal.
During reports, councilman George O’Kelley pointed out that Thursday, November 10, is the 202nd birthday for the Marine Corps when Captain Samuel Nicholas formed two battalions of Continental Marines in 1775 in Philadelphia as naval infantry.