Small businesses play a big role in the New York State economy.

An economic recession, as the old saying goes, is when your neighbor becomes unemployed—and a depression is when it happens to you. A similar logic applies to economic recoveries: whatever the experts may say about the national outlook, most of us are especially concerned about good jobs and good wages in our own communities.

President John F. Kennedy described the United States of America as “a nation of immigrants.” The contributions of these individuals have been vitally important to the economy, society and culture of New York State, and of our entire nation.

Nonprofit organizations, large and small, provide a multitude of diverse services in health care, education, the arts and other sectors throughout New York State.

How is the economy treating New Yorkers? Monthly governmental reports on employment tell us how many jobs have been added or lost, and which industrial sectors are expanding or shrinking.

New York City is undergoing its largest and longest job expansion since World War II. More than 700,000 jobs have been added during the past eight years (a gain of nearly 19 percent), pushing employment to uncharted levels.

Credit cards are the most commonly used vehicle for consumer borrowing, and thus play an important role in both the overall economy and individual households’ finances.

New York is home to over 35,000 farms, covering approximately 7.3 million acres or nearly a quarter of the State’s total land area.

Job markets go through cycles of ups and downs. Further, within New York State, employment trends can be very different from one region to another. But, over the last ten years, at least one sector – health care – has established a consistent pattern of growth across the State.

From mom-and-pop corner stores to medical practices to computer software start-ups, small businesses play a vital role in New York’s economy.