At the start of the Nov. 25 work session, Michael Cade, executive director of the Thurston Economic Development Council, thanked the council for a Small Business Saturday proclamation and described the role of small business in the county's economic growth.

Cade told the council there are about 13,000 businesses in Thurston County and that 95% have 10 employees or fewer. He said the county's GDP grew from roughly $6.4 billion in 2000 to about $16.5 billion in 2020 and credited local supports and institutions'from the city's economic-development staff to maker spaces and the Small Business Development Center'for that growth.

Cade said formal comments would be provided in writing but asked the council to consider how the proclamation and related supports highlight the contributions of small, closely held and first-generation businesses to the local economy.