Recent ribbon cuttings and two planned next week are evidence that small businesses are succeeding locally, Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said.

And those ribbon cuttings are big steps for small businesses, she said.

“I think that these ribbon cuttings show that it is possible,” Duffy said. “For people to come out and support a small business when it opens, even if it is a competitor, is important. For instance, we had a ribbon cutting for the Teal Gypsy and the Kubota guys came over to support them, knowing that they probably wouldn’t buy anything. It is just the community supporting each other. It is small business owners supporting other small business owners and it is just a reiteration of encouragement to keep going.”

Next week is National Small Business Week, and the Chamber has ribbon cuttings planned at Sno Biz of Andalusia and another at Southeast Electric and Plumbing and the Floor Store.

Duffy said that the beginning of opening a small business is always the hardest part.

“A lot of people that have been through the process know that the beginning is the hardest part,” Duffy said. “So when you have people that applaud you and support you at a ribbon cutting, it makes a difference. With it being National Small Business Week it is an ideal time to have a ribbon cutting, because it is so symbolic for a small business.”

Along with the ribbon cuttings, Duffy said that the Chamber will host its monthly breakfast at Andalusia Health in the coming week, and the following Monday, will have its annual Legislative Luncheon, which ties into Small Business Week.

“Although it is not during Small Business Week, we like to think that the Legislative Luncheon follows along those lines,” Duffy said. “The luncheon is where we connect our community leaders with our elected officials so we can go over what critical concerns we have during the middle of the legislative session just so we can get an update to what is going on during the legislative session. We just want to be able to interact and communicate and make sure that voices are heard and make sure that we are all educated on what the issues are.”

The Opp and Covington County Area Chamber of Commerce is doing a “Punch Out” during Small Business Week, and giving out two $100 cash prizes.

Participants can grab their punch out card at participating retailers and restaurants starting Mon., May 6. When they spend $10 at a participating business, they will punch the card. If a person gets six punches they have to turn the card in to the Opp Chamber of Commerce and entries will be entered in a drawing to win $100. The drawing will be held at the first Downtown Get Down event on May 17, in Opp.