Support Your Community's Small, Local and Rural Businesses

Today marks the start to the holiday shopping season, some of you may have pursued the sales of Black Friday. But I want to remind you of important annual event and focus that began five years ago, Small Business Saturday which asks consumers to pledge their support to shop at small, local and rural businesses. Last year an estimated $14.3 billion was spent at small, independent businesses on Small Business Saturday. Presently, there are 28 million small businesses throughout the United States, representing 44 percent of U.S. private sector payroll. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasis the importance of shopping locally to maintain the vibrance of our rural communities.
Vilsack: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of rural America. A lot of main street businesses provide income opportunities and job opportunities for those who live, work and raise their families in rural communities. I think it is really important that we do everything that we can to shop locally and support these small businesses.”
According to the American Independent Business Alliance, money spent at local small businesses generates 3.7 times more direct local economic benefit than spending at chain stores.
Vilsack: “These folks are also the people who contribute to our churches, our community activities, who volunteer in our organizations and they are an important cog to the quality of life, particularly in rural America.”
So, don’t forget to get out there and support our local small businesses tomorrow and throughout the holiday season.