Make sure to save for Small Business Saturday

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. Supporting them is a great way to help fuel the economy.
First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. The second annual Small Business Saturday will be Nov. 26.
Over the past two decades, small businesses have created 65 percent of new jobs. In fact, small local businesses are the largest employers nationally.
The overall message is to take pride in your community by spending locally.
The concept of Small Business Saturday was started by American Express. Being the leading payment card issuer for small businesses in the U.S., the company wanted to support owners in growing their companies.
To entice even more shoppers, American Express is providing the card holder a $25 statement credit for shopping on Small Business Saturday.
You will need to register your American Express card and spend at least $25 with one of the registered Fort Payne businesses. All the information is online. Many of our businesses are participating in the event.
To register, visit the Small Business Saturday website or the Small Business Saturday Facebook page.
These sites also have marketing ideas for the small business owners.
Last year's program drove millions of dollars to small businesses across the U.S.
According to Michael H. Shuman, author of the book "Going Local," "Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporation and back into the community where it belongs."
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.