JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), was in Jacksonville on Friday, December 14, 2012, and highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses during the holiday season. She was joined by City Councilman Jim Love and Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, North Florida District Director for the SBA.

The trio visited Design Additions, The Green Alligator, and The Florida Creamery, all of which are located in the Avondale area of Jacksonville.

Chris Hardison, Owner of Design Additions, noted that “As a small business owner, I was thrilled not only that the Deputy Administrator for the Small Business Administration would visit our store, but it also made me feel like small businesses really do matter.”

Deputy Adm. Johns regularly travels the country to hear from small business owners to see what the SBA can do to build success. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the fabric of our communities. When you buy something at a local small business, like the ones here in Avondale, it’s an investment in the community”, says SBA Deputy Administrator Johns.

Johns shopped at each of the businesses she visited, and talked to the small business owners about their experiences and thanked them for what they do best: growing their businesses, creating jobs, and ensuring that our communities remain vibrant.

Pictured left to right: Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director SBA North Florida District Office, Jim Love, Avondale Councilman, Chris Hardison, Design Additions Owner,and Marie Johns, SBA Deputy Administrator.

Pictured left to right: SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns, Sandi White, Owner of The Green Alligator, Avondale Councilman Jim Love, and North Florida District Director Wilfredo J. Gonzalez.

Pictured left to right: Avondale Councilman Jim Love, SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns, Angela Wilcox, Owner of The Florida Creamery, Marisa Lee, Special Assistant to Deputy Adm., and North Florida District Director Wilfredo J. Gonzalez. 

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