Uphold the Rights of Local Small Businesses to Vend on Public Beaches on 30A
Uphold the Rights of Local Small Businesses to Vend on Public Beaches on 30A
The Issue
The freedom for local small businesses to vend and serve the community on the public beaches in Walton County is a right that we, the members of the South Walton Beach Service Association, have come to cherish. Being local small business owners, having this right safeguards our livelihoods and contributes enormously to the local economy.
The South Walton Beach Service Association (SWBSA) has diligently served both vacationers and residents alike, allowing these same residents and vacationers the freedom of choice when it comes to selecting a vendor. However, local government officials are now exploring other options that would not include SWBSA to continue to operate as it has for the last 5 years. In place of the SWBSA the local government official(s) would have a single vendor controlling all Walton County Public Beaches. Their [local government official(s)] actions threaten not only our businesses but, by extension, the vibrant community and tourist industry that we all have worked so hard to cultivate.
There are many consequences that will result from a single vendor approach, one of which being the market price for beach chairs will increase significantly, in turn driving down utilization and demand due to affordability.
Statistically, small businesses are a crucial driving force for economic growth in our towns and cities. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 64% of new jobs created in the U.S (U.S. Small Business Administration, 2019). We are contributing our share towards this vital part of the economy. Our community is largely made up of small business owners and we in Walton County are proud of our ability to keep our community small and locally run, driving out the large businesses that have threatened our small town in the past.
In this regard, we appeal to the Walton County Board of Commissioners to reconsider their proposal and allow the South Walton Beach Service to continue to vend on the public beaches. By supporting us, you would be supporting choices, supporting small businesses, and above all, supporting our community.
Please, sign this petition to keep the spirit of freedom and enterprise alive in Walton County.
1,239
The Issue
The freedom for local small businesses to vend and serve the community on the public beaches in Walton County is a right that we, the members of the South Walton Beach Service Association, have come to cherish. Being local small business owners, having this right safeguards our livelihoods and contributes enormously to the local economy.
The South Walton Beach Service Association (SWBSA) has diligently served both vacationers and residents alike, allowing these same residents and vacationers the freedom of choice when it comes to selecting a vendor. However, local government officials are now exploring other options that would not include SWBSA to continue to operate as it has for the last 5 years. In place of the SWBSA the local government official(s) would have a single vendor controlling all Walton County Public Beaches. Their [local government official(s)] actions threaten not only our businesses but, by extension, the vibrant community and tourist industry that we all have worked so hard to cultivate.
There are many consequences that will result from a single vendor approach, one of which being the market price for beach chairs will increase significantly, in turn driving down utilization and demand due to affordability.
Statistically, small businesses are a crucial driving force for economic growth in our towns and cities. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 64% of new jobs created in the U.S (U.S. Small Business Administration, 2019). We are contributing our share towards this vital part of the economy. Our community is largely made up of small business owners and we in Walton County are proud of our ability to keep our community small and locally run, driving out the large businesses that have threatened our small town in the past.
In this regard, we appeal to the Walton County Board of Commissioners to reconsider their proposal and allow the South Walton Beach Service to continue to vend on the public beaches. By supporting us, you would be supporting choices, supporting small businesses, and above all, supporting our community.
Please, sign this petition to keep the spirit of freedom and enterprise alive in Walton County.
1,239
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on November 8, 2024