Small Business Administration Intros "Small Business Saturday"

By Mike Hothi

Small Business Administrator Karen Mills introduced “Small Business Saturday” Wednesday to promote holiday shopping at local businesses in an effort to jolt local economies.

“We are encouraging everyone to visit a small business on Saturday to, perhaps, make a purchase,” Mills said. “Do some of the holiday shopping to engage with those wonderful small businesses on Main Street that are really part of the fabric of our community.”

In 2010, American Express promoted shopping at local businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Participating businesses saw a 28 percent jump in sales compared to 2009 and the Administration hopes to see similar success this time around.

“The money goes right back to the local economy and we know that’s important,” Mills said.

According to the Small Business Administration, half of working Americans own or work at a small business and small businesses create 2 out of every 3 new jobs.