It's finally spring and that means it's time to celebrate Small Business Week.

This year Small Business Week runs Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8.From independent grocery stores to car repair shops to restaurants, when small-town businesses prosper, they help their communities prosper.For example, LL Bean has built a billion and a half dollar business while keeping their headquarters in the small town of Freeport, Maine.In exchange, Freeport has prospered right along with LL Bean for the past 100 years.I've been to Freeport and LL Bean's store there. It is amazing!Sometimes examples like that are more intimidating than helpful.It's great that LL Bean and Freeport are doing well, but then we think that's not the norm and it's certainly not Carbon County.But a business doesn't have to have a huge bottom line to matter.You don't have to be big to make a difference.When Charles Tolbert from Baylor University researched how small businesses benefit their community, he didn't look at 100-year-old, billion-dollar businesses.He looked at regular, everyday businesses. When a small business prospers so does the town.Tolbert's research said small businesses are more associated with:• Higher average income levels• Lower poverty levels• Lower drop-out rates• Lower rates of death due to chronic illnesses• And a long list of other good thingsNot because they were billion-dollar businesses, but because they are involved in their communities.It's one of the sevenbiggest strengths of small-town businesses.From sponsoring Little League baseball teams to local fundraisers and being involved in the communities they serve, your local businesses are always there to lend a helping hand in support of their hometown.Remember that LL Bean started out as one guy in the basement of his brother's business, with one product.That one product turned out to be a failure, and he had to give all of his investors their money back.He started over with even less than he had before. But with determination and just a bit of luck, his business has now grown into a hugely successful empire with a flagship store that people travel from all over the country and the world to visit.That brings commerce into the town.Other businesses prosper and hire workers who also spend their money locally. It becomes a symbiotic relationship but one that works.Large companies are important to small communities too.Their successes help build the solid foundation for a community to thrive and encourage commerce.Other companies see the success.Perhaps a corporate executive comes into town to go whitewater rafting.He or she sees the quality of life in the area and considers expanding their company here.That's what happened in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with Volvo.So get out and help to make a difference in your community by supporting your neighbors and friends who own the small businesses that make your town what it is.Let's grow together!