In Simpson County, small businesses make up 96% of all businesses, with 82% of those having nine or less employees. The Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly eye openers to showcase these local businesses. In November the Simpson County Extension Office hosted a Chamber Eye Opener that brought some 100 people from our community into the Extension Office to network. 

In December, 40 Simpson County 4-H members, parents, and leaders came together to host the 11^th Annual Hometown Holiday Bazaar in downtown Franklin. The bazaar was held in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade and Franklin-Simpson Renaissance A Small Town Christmas.  2,000 people came to downtown Franklin to attend these events, also shopping and eating from the downtown small businesses. Twenty-three local vendors sold at the Hometown Holiday Bazaar with sales totaling over $6,000. Of these vendors, five were 4-H clubs fundraising for their clubs.  

According to the local Chamber of Commerce, "A dollar spent at small businesses in our community turns over seven times and generally stays in the community while the receipts spent at a chain store usually leave immediately." In addition to vendor income, the Simpson County 4-H Council raised over $1,200 through food and vendor fees by hosting the event.  In the eleven years 4-H has hosted the bazaar over $70,000 has been generated by 4-H into our local economy.