Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2025
Contact: [email protected] 
 
Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Celebrating “Shop Small Wisconsin,” Encourages Wisconsinites to Shop Local this Holiday Season
 
Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers delivered his weekly radio address this week, celebrating “Shop Small Wisconsin Season” and encouraging Wisconsinites to shop at Wisconsin’s many local small businesses during the holidays.

For the fifth consecutive year, Gov. Evers has proclaimed Nov. 29, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, as “Shop Small Wisconsin Season,” encouraging Wisconsinites to shop local and support Wisconsin’s Main Streets and small businesses during the holiday season. A copy of the governor’s 2025 Shop Small Wisconsin Season proclamation is available here.

Throughout the Shop Small Wisconsin Season, the governor and members of his administration are encouraging all Wisconsinites to celebrate small businesses and the many contributions they make to communities across the state, to explore new small businesses and champion their success, and to show support for their neighbors and communities by shopping local this holiday season at their favorite small businesses.

More information about the Shop Small Wisconsin Season, including ways to participate and facts and figures about the impact of shopping small during the holidays, is available either on WEDC’s website or here.

Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here.  

From retail and art to restaurants and coffee shops, small businesses are the hearts of our communities, supporting Wisconsin families, creating community spaces, and bringing unique products and services to every corner of our state. 

Small businesses are also critical drivers of our local and statewide economies.

Estimates show that two-thirds of every dollar spent at a small business stays right in the local community.

That’s because small businesses are more likely to give back to their communities, buy supplies locally, and hire workers locally.

In fact, our small businesses employ about half of all Wisconsin workers, representing about 1.2 million jobs.

Folks, when our small businesses succeed, our communities and local and statewide economies succeed.

That’s why Wisconsin has invested millions of dollars to support businesses and downtowns across the state in recent years.

And thanks to our successful Main Street Bounceback Grant Program, Wisconsinites have thousands of new businesses to support on Main Streets across our state. 

It’s also why, every year, I am proud to proclaim this time of year the “Shop Small Wisconsin Season” to encourage Wisconsinites to support our local small businesses during the holiday season.  

Now’s the perfect time to visit your favorite small businesses and maybe check out a couple of new ones, too. 

Especially as small businesses are facing rising costs and challenges due to President Trump’s reckless trade wars, investing in small businesses is as important as ever.  

Because when you shop at a local small business, you’re investing in your neighbors, your community, and their success.  

So, this holiday season, get out to shop small, Wisconsin! 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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