November 27 is Small Business Saturday: Support Benton County, MN, Retailers!

Small Business Saturday is designated for celebrating small businesses and encouraging consumers to shop at local retailers. Right after Thanksgiving, sandwiched between the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for Benton County shoppers to support our local businesses, and in turn, boost our economy.

Small Business Saturday is now in its 12th year and falls on November 27. American Express started Small Business Saturday in 2010 in the midst of the recession to give small businesses a boost. The movement gained significant traction in 2011, when the Senate unanimously passed a resolution supporting the day. Since then, Small Business Saturday has grown into a national movement, with over $120 billion in spending recorded since its inception.

Benton Economic Partnership Supports Small Business Saturday

Ideally, community members would shop local all year long in order to create the greatest impact on our local economy. Small Business Saturday works as a festive reminder to do so, and a fun reason to visit our local shops and retailers to see what they have to offer. Remember, gift cards are always a great way to support our business owners. According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the support small businesses receive on Small Business Saturday helps them start the holiday season strong. This is crucial since the majority of small retailers report generating most of their sales during the holiday season. However, it goes beyond just benefiting business owners. The entire community wins when you shop local.

Shop Local and the Whole Community Benefits

1. Builds Local Communities: When you support Benton County businesses, you are supporting your friends, family, and neighbors. These business owners are the people who you trade smiles with at the grocery store and who support community activities like youth sports. Their livelihood improves everyone’s quality of life. 
2. Strengthens the Local Economy to Promote Future Growth: Business success promotes expansion and attracts other businesses. This is important for economic and community vitality and encourages entrepreneurship.
3. Local Small Businesses Add Character: Small businesses like bakeries, breweries, or boutiques add character and charm that can be a draw for tourists, as well as folks from neighboring communities.
4. Creates More Jobs and Opportunities:  According to the Small Business Association, big businesses have eliminated 4 million jobs since 1990, while small businesses added 8 million jobs within that same time period. Small businesses are more likely to be people-oriented, more likely to be community-oriented, and more likely to support local causes.
5. Tax Dollars Stay Local and Reenter the Community: When you shop local this holiday season, you support your neighbors and build community, while keeping tax revenue and jobs in Benton County. The funds are used to fix streets, fund education, and support day-to-day operations. National statistics show that for every dollar spent at a small business, 67 cents stays within your local economy. In addition to helping schools and other organizations through taxes, small businesses are often the organizations that support local youth sports teams, charities, and events.
6. More Personalized Customer Service: There is something special about shopping at a local store where the owners greet you by name, swap stories with you, and ask about the kids. Shopping can be fulfilling and put you in the holiday spirit when you move beyond “add to cart.”

There really isn’t any downside when it comes to shopping locally. Business owners will always evaluate their local and national competitors to offer higher quality products at the prices that consumers can afford. Benton County is made stronger when you take a moment to visit your local stores before shopping online.

To learn more about business opportunities in Benton County, contact Benton Economic Partnership at 320-968-6197 or email us here. We can ease the process of finding a site, obtaining permits, constructing a facility, and hiring and training a workforce. 

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