Fall is Nature’s Elegy
September 22 marks the close of the bright season of the summer, commencing the start of fall with earlier sunsets, chilled air, and warm palettes of once-green leaves crinkling into rustic, hickory tones.
As Paul Laurence Dunbar lyrically depicts in the following portion of his 1896 poem, “Merry Autumn,” he encourages us to embrace the beauty of the life cycle and the opportunity for transformation.
“…The seed burrs all with laughter crack
On featherweed and jimson;
And leaves that should be dressed in black
Are all decked out in crimson…
…Don’t talk to me of solemn days
In autumn’s time of splendor,
Because the sun shows fewer rays,
And these grow slant and slender.
Why, it’s the climax of the year, —
The highest time of living! —
Till naturally its bursting cheer
Just melts into thanksgiving.”
Seasonal Harvest
Autumn signals a new chapter for West Virginia’s small businesses, extending beyond the vibrant hues of leaves garnishing their storefronts; it indicates the onset of seasonal tourism and the opportunity for enhanced product promotion and attracting new customers.
As the high school and college football season kicks off, it brings together fans, friends, and family from near and far, sparking a surge in orders of chili from Hillbilly Hotdogs, six-packs from Big Timber Brewing, new fall coffee flavors from Mountaineer Roasting Company, and visits to Cody’s Pumpkin Patch.
Between West Virginia University and Marshall football, Bridge Day on the New River Gorge, the Preston County Buckwheat Festival, foliage fanatics, and more, the Mountain State experiences an influx of visitors during the fall season. Whether you are venturing to West Virginia for the first time or have been a lifelong Mountaineer, it is your patronage of small businesses that you will remember when reflecting on that brisk October weekend in the years to come.
Falling Barriers
To ensure local commerce continues to thrive, we, as a state, must support our local businesses in every way possible. The typical view of “supporting small businesses” and “shopping local” often involves choosing the neighborhood deli over the chain grocery store. However, another critical route to supporting small businesses is eliminating government-imposed barriers hindering their success, both in operations and in establishing potential future storefronts.
Removing burdensome regulations incentivizes entrepreneurs to “set up shop” in West Virginia, whether or not they are already residents. Universal Licensing Recognition further promotes mobility and growth by encouraging community members to pursue previously restricted occupations and attracting out-of-state workers. Furthermore, tax reform, such as eliminating the Business Inventory Tax, decreases the financial strain on established and new businesses, catalyzing an economic “harvest” for our state.
A vibrant local business scene extends well beyond charming shops and friendly customer service; it also strengthens the community and revitalizes streets and buildings. Take a look at the success of Capital Street in Charleston and Main Street in Saint Albans – these are just two of the many examples of how local businesses serve as the lifeblood of our towns.
This fall, let’s admire beauty of change and embrace the opportunity for transformation by cultivating an economic climate in our state that allows entrepreneurs and businesses, both large and small, to flourish.
