#ShopSmall and Create a Thriving Local Economy this Holiday Season
[ELMIRA, NY] – Are you ready to shop, eat, and celebrate with the small businesses in your neighborhood this holiday season? The 10th Annual Small Business Saturday takes place nationwide this Saturday, November 30. Small Business Saturday, founded by American Express in 2010, is held each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop at small, independently-owned businesses across the country. Based on an annual survey, Small Business Saturday spending has reached a reported estimate of $103 billion since the day began.
Across the nation, millions of shoppers, food lovers, public officials, and other supporters pledge their support on Small Business Saturday. Everyone is welcome to join the movement on social media by using the hashtags #ShopSmall and #SmallBizSat. Check with your local businesses and community organizations to see what they have planned for Small Business Saturday this year! Examples of local businesses in the Southern Tier offering events include the Arnot Mall, The Christmas House, and Massage by Karen.
“Shopping from a local business is equivalent to making an investment in your community,” explains Kamala Keeley, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce. “When you choose to support an independently-owned local business instead of a chain, you make a choice to sustain an economic ecosystem that benefits our workforce, residents, non-profits, environment, public services, and community initiatives.” According to the American Independent Business Alliance, statistics prove that each dollar spent at an independent business returns three times more money to the local economy than one dollar spent at a chain, and almost fifty times more than buying from an online mega-retailer.
To celebrate this important initiative, the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce is offering a media kit filled with resources to promote small businesses on social media and encourage local residents to shop small. As the holiday season approaches, the Chamber invites the community to promote #ShopSmall across the Southern Tier on Small Business Saturday—and beyond. Local businesses can contribute to the media kit (an ongoing initiative) by sharing their photos, videos, and stories with the Chamber.
Please click the following link to access the media kit: SHOP SMALL MEDIA KIT
ABOUT THE CHEMUNG COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
For more than 100 years, the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce has been the leading voice of business in the region. Through efforts in such diverse areas as local, State, and Federal legislation, small business concerns, tourism promotion and economic development, the Chamber works daily to enhance the economic well-being and quality of life in Chemung County. With nearly 20,000 employees representing more than 500 member firms, the Chamber is the largest full-time, professionally staffed business organization in the region. It is governed by a representative group of members serving as the Board of Directors. The mission of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce is to represent the business community in the promotion of the prosperity and the quality of life throughout its service area.