SBA Administrator: Get Ready to "Shop Small" and "Dine Small" for Small Business Saturday

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of  the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), is encouraging all Americans to "shop small" at local businesses and "dine small" at local restaurants and bars as part of Small Business Saturday on November 26. 

 "Small Business Saturday is about supporting local businesses, the pillars of economic stability and job creation in communities all across America," said Contreras-Sweet. "This celebration helps bring vital activity into our nation's 28.8 million independent businesses during the important holiday retail season. Now in its seventh year, Small Business Saturday is our day to express our economic patriotism and give back to the locally-owned enterprises that do so much for our communities."

This year marks the seventh Small Business Saturday, an annual celebration of America's small business community coordinated by SBA in partnership with American Express, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and others. On Small Business Saturday 2015, more than 95 million Americans spent a combined $16.2 billion at independent neighborhood retailers and restaurants – often purchasing locally-sourced and unique handmade gifts for loved ones or "dining small" at their favorite local eatery.

Contreras-Sweet added: "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heart of our communities. These small businesses have been responsible for creating two out of every three net new jobs in the U.S.  According to the Kauffman Foundation's 2016 Main Street Entrepreneurship Index, small business survival is up over the past year but businesses are staying smaller. That size difference can mean local shops rely even more on support from their communities. Shopping and dining small on November 26 and throughout this holiday season supports these men and women who are building and running America's best small businesses."

Post your own photos, show your support or follow along on social media with @MCS4biz, @SBAGov, #SmallBizSat, #ShopSmall, #Dine Small.

 For more details visit www.sba.gov/SmallBusinessSaturday and for a full listing of the Small Business Saturday Coalition members, please visit www.shopsmall.com/SUPPORTERS.

Cosponsorship Authorization #16-2050-36.  SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity.  All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

 ABOUT THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.  The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses.  Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S.Virgin Islands and Guam. www.sba.gov

Contact: Terry Sutherland (202) 205-6919  
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
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Release Number: 16 -87

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SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

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