Small Business Saturday is Nov. 24
PRINCETON — Area residents and visitors can get an early start into the holiday season with a special Small Business Saturday scheduled for Nov. 24 in Princeton.
Princeton Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Frey has announced Small Business Saturday is a national initiative aimed at getting consumers to spend locally and support the small businesses in their communities for at least one day during the holiday shopping season. The Princeton Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a part of this program, Frey said.
To make Small Business Saturday a success, it’s important for everyone to get involved, Frey said.
“Not only are these small business owners our friends and our neighbors, but they are the driving force behind our regional economy,” Frey said. “For every $100 spent at locally owned independent stores, more than half of it returns to the regional economy through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.”
This is the third year for the national Small Business Saturday movement, but the second year for Princeton’s involvement. While Frey and the Princeton Chamber of Commerce are working with the local retailers in developing Small Business Saturday, Princeton Tourism Director Joni Hunt is working on the tourism and marketing aspect.
On Monday, Hunt said she is working on advertising, both radio and print spots, as well as promoting Small Business Saturday through the city’s tourism website. She is also promoting the event throughout the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway communities and area.
Small Business Saturday will be part of the busiest holiday shopping weekend of the season, coming between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Hunt said. Princeton’s small businesses have much to offer shoppers, including a lot of specialty and unique items which are specific to this region, she said.
Not only is Small Business Saturday a great opportunity for area residents to get a head start on their holiday shopping, but it’s also a great opportunity to draw visitors into the community, Hunt said.
Representing the regional Small Business Saturday initiative, project coordinator Renee Charles said there are two dozen regional partners on board helping promote the initiative including area Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, cities, counties and community groups from Ottawa to Canton and from Peoria to Bloomington.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of every community. In fact more than 95 percent of all businesses in our region are considered small business,” Charles said. “Those small businesses employ over half of all private sector workers, and they are the economic drivers for us. That is why we are all working together to promote Small Business Saturday throughout the Greater Peoria area.”
More information on Small Business Saturday Central Illinois is available through the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, the Princeton Tourism website, and also through the Small-Business-Saturday-Central-Illinois website.
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