Entrepreneur and Veteran Urges Action, Shares Insights on Economic Impact
COWETA, OK / ACCESSWIRE / January 9, 2025 / Patrick Delehanty, entrepreneur, Air Force veteran, and founder of Delco Holdings, LLC, is calling on communities to prioritize the growth and success of small businesses. With a career spanning engineering, real estate, and manufacturing, Delehanty understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities small businesses face-and why their survival matters.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” says Delehanty. “They create jobs, support families, and give communities their unique identity. But too often, they’re overlooked in favor of big corporations.”
Small businesses account for 44% of U.S. economic activity and employ nearly half of the private workforce. Yet, Delehanty notes, many struggle to secure funding or adapt to changing markets.
“We’ve seen 20% of small businesses close within the first year,” he explains. “The pandemic only made things harder, with over 200,000 shutting down permanently. It’s a problem we can’t ignore.”
Delehanty emphasizes the importance of local support. “It starts with where you shop and who you hire. Every dollar spent at a small business has a ripple effect-boosting local economies and creating more jobs.”
He also advocates for mentorship programs and financial literacy initiatives for entrepreneurs. “Many business owners are great at their craft but need help navigating the complexities of running a business,” he says.
Through his companies, Delehanty has modeled what’s possible when small businesses innovate and collaborate. His engineering firm pivoted during the pandemic to produce personal protective equipment, generating a very large revenue while saving countless jobs.
“Adaptability is key,” he says. “Small businesses don’t have the resources of large corporations, but they have agility. That’s their strength.”
Delehanty also invests in workforce development. Through Delco Devgru’s federal contracts and Express Redi Mix’s local construction projects, he prioritizes hiring and training local talent.
“People are your greatest asset,” he says. “When you invest in them, your business thrives-and so does your community.”
Delehanty is urging policymakers, community leaders, and individuals to take action. He suggests offering tax incentives for small business owners, increasing access to affordable loans, and creating grants for innovation.
“Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with awareness,” he says. “Support your local businesses. Advocate for them. Their success is our success.”
Patrick Delehanty’s message is clear: Small businesses aren’t just businesses-they’re the heart of every community. And they’re worth fighting for.
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Patrick Delehanty
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SOURCE: Patrick Delehanty
