THATCHER, Ariz. — Eastern Arizona College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced it has joined the Small Business Saturday Coalition and, together with American Express, will support this year’s Small Business Saturday® celebration, which takes place on Nov 30. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting the independent businesses that make our communities unique and provide invaluable contributions to our economy.
The SBDC will be promoting Small Business Saturday by spreading the word about shopping local during the holidays to the community through print and radio advertising, on Facebook and other social media platforms, and through email marketing. “The more local consumers we can reach in our community to remember our small businesses while shopping during the holidays, the more our local economy benefits,” states Kevin Peck, director of the EAC Small Business Development Center. “Every year our local small businesses donate thousands of dollars in support to little league teams, school functions and events, sports teams and benefits for our local community members in need. This is a chance for the Gila Valley to return that support and give back to those businesses that give to them and their children year-round.”
Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. In 2018, U.S. shoppers reported spending an estimated $17.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on the day, according to 2018 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. In addition, the Small Business Impact Study from American Express found that an average two-thirds of every dollar ($0.67) spent at small business in the U.S. stays in the local community, meaning a consumer’s local impact during the holiday shopping season can be significant.
Small Business Saturday celebrates the diversity of small businesses across the U.S. and the EAC Small Business Development Center recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses, the jobs they help create, and the culture they foster in local communities. The Small Business Economic Impact Study also found that in addition to small businesses directly employing members of the community, spending by those small businesses and their employees in the area also supports local jobs – in fact, for every ten jobs at a small business another seven are supported in the local community.
For more information on Small Business Saturday, go to http://facebook.com/eacsbdc or visit http://shopsmall.com.
About EAC SBDC
The EAC Small Business Development Center is part of a national and statewide network of small business assistance providers. The Center’s main goal is to give local small businesses the tools and training needed to be successful. The Center is funded by Eastern Arizona College with assistance from a grant provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The SBDC provides FREE counseling to assist entrepreneurs with finding answers to the numerous questions that arise when starting or operating a business. The SBDC works in cooperation with the SBA, local Chambers of Commerce, and other community partnerships.
To take your business to the next level, contact us at sbdc@eac.edu or call (928) 428-8590.
About Small Business Saturday
November 30 is the 10th annual Small Business Saturday, proudly backed by American Express. Dedicated to supporting the diverse range of local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and enhance neighborhoods around the country, Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers. Learn more at and connect with us on http://shopsmall.com/
https://www.instagram.com/shopsmall
https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday
