Holiday season is ramping up, with stores hauling out their seasonal displays and people brushing off their credit cards in anticipation – or dread – of Christmas shopping excursions.

This year, American Express is once again leading the promotion of the Small Business Saturday initiative, encouraging people to focus on supporting their local small businesses which, in turn, support their local economy.   

Small businesses are the economic engines that drive our neighbourhoods.  Our communities.  Our countries.  And, if only for one day, this campaign calls folks to task and demands that they be aware of where they are spending their dollars.  At the end of the day, did what you purchase help your community in any way?

As it did last year, American Express is offering a $25 credit to consumers who pre-register their credit cards and then buy products at independent merchants on November 26. 

The first 10,000 businesses who sign up can receive $100 worth of Facebook ads to build buzz about their Small Business Saturday promotions. 

More tools to help small business owners promote the event can also be found here.

Here’s to shopping locally this Small Business Saturday … I know I will. 

Will you?

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Are business incentives a cost-effective strategy to help achieve economic growth?

The town of Denton, North Carolina (pop. 1,650) thinks so.

As part of their Jobs Creation Program, the town hopes to create 150 new jobs over the next five years.  Their plan includes:

• Water/Sewer/Trash – Three month grant assistance to approved businesses to help cover water, sewer and trash expenses
• Adding Positions – Any new or existing businesses that add a full-time employee may qualify for grant funds to help offset costs 
• Start-Ups- A new business that wants to start-up in Denton may receive up to $2,500 if they employ a minimum of five full-time workers and locate within the town limits 
• Improvement Grants for Existing Businesses – Up to $1,000 is available to help existing businesses improve and beautify their exterior appearance
• New Housing/Business Construction Grant – Grant funds are available to cover the cost of a water/sewer tap

Click through for more information about Denton’s incentive plan.

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October 16-22 is Small Business Week here in Canada … a time to celebrate the many contributions small businesses make our economy. 

And while the economic recession has taken a toll on many owners and entrepreneurs, small businesses still managed to employ almost half of Canada’s total workforce (that’s over 5 million people, folks) while accounting for over $68 billion in exports … 25% of Canada’s total export value! 

These businesses may be small, but they’re mighty.

Now … look around your community.  You won’t have to look far to see small business owners providing local leadership.  They advertise in the high school yearbook and sponsor the minor hockey teams, volunteer to lead charity drives and pitch in when a local event takes place. 

Beyond the financial contributions small businesses make, research has shown they also make significant non-tangible contributions to their communities. 

For example, small businesses donate as much or more per employee to local charities than big companies.  And, because most small business owners live in the communities where they do business, they have a vested interest in helping solve problems and offering their leadership skills to achieve civic goals. 

So … return the love.  Support your local small businesses and they’ll continue to return the favour. 

Source:  cbc.ca (with numbers from Statistics Canada/Industry Canada)

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