THE SHOALS-After Black Friday and before Cyber Monday comes an opportunity for shoppers to hunt for bargains while providing a boost to their local economy.
This Saturday, November 30, has been designated as Small Business Saturday to encourage shoppers to support locally owned businesses year round.
Many locally owned businesses will be offering deep discounts on Saturday.
Sheffield Mayor Ian Sanford
Sheffield Mayor Ian Sanford said small businesses are vital small town economies. “Sheffield is a mom-and-pop business kind of town,” Sanford said. “We do not have big box retailers like the larger towns do, but we have some great mom-and-pop businesses. Those locally owned businesses are the ones who buy ads in the high school football program and help out with all sorts of community events. They support our communities and it’s important for the community support them.”
Sheffield is not the only town that relies heavily on small businesses for its tax base. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 54 percent of America’s retail sales occur at its 23 million small businesses.
Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford
Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford said money spent at locally owned businesses stays in the community. A 2012 study in Salt Lake City, Utah found that 52 percent of the revenue generated at locally owned businesses is recirculated in the community. The same study found that an average of 14 percent of revenue generated at large chain retail stores goes back into the local economy. “It is very important to support our home-owned businesses. They employ local people and provide services to the local community,” Bradford said. “To have a good community, we must support our community.”
Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker
Tuscumbia Mayor Bill Shoemaker said when shoppers shop at locally owned stores, they are supporting their community. “Businesses and residents support each other when we shop local first,” Shoemaker said.
Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 by American Express as a way to support small, locally owned businesses through the holiday shopping season.
In 2011, Congress officially recognized Small Business Saturday as a way to encourage consumers to shop locally 
and increase awareness of locally owned small businesses.”
American Express estimates that consumers spent $5.5 billion last year during Small Business Saturday.
For more details on shopping opportunities and Christmas events, including parades, in Colbert County, contact the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau at 256-383-0783.
