The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is once again encouraging Americans to remember their local small retailers and restauranteurs when making their winter holiday shopping plans this year. While social media, TV and billboards are already being flooded with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals from the major chains and online shopping sites, we at the SBA know that mom-and-pop shops, corner bakeries and Main Street markets owned by your friends and neighbors are competing against “the big guys” with bottomless marketing budgets to finish the year “in the black.”

Join us in celebrating the 33.3 million small businesses igniting our economy and enriching our communities throughout the year (20 million of which started during the Biden-Harris Administration). We are once again partnering with American Express and other organizations across the country this holiday shopping season to celebrate Small Business Saturday (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) — a day to honor and support small businesses for all they contribute to our communities. It’s how we all can do our part to support economic growth in our own neighborhoods. Last year’s Small Business Saturday packed a big punch for the U.S. economy: consumers generated approximately $18 billion in reported spending at small businesses.

Beyond just one day, we are once again calling on Americans to make their entire holiday shopping experience a “Season of Small Business” by spending more at Main Street shops and restaurants. It’s as easy and satisfying as it is impactful. On average, small businesses create two out of three net new jobs in your town, and America’s small restaurants employ millions and generate billions of dollars in sales. Shopping local strengthens your local economy and keeps more of your hard-earned dollars local while receiving high-quality products and services in return.

In so many ways, small businesses are the glue that holds our communities together. I encourage you to join me and more than 100 million Americans in shopping and dining small on Small Business Saturday as you check off items on your holiday shopping list. Share your stories and where you’re shopping on social media using #ShopSmall.

This year, to help bring attention to our locally owned retailers and restauranteurs, the SBA is visiting neighborhoods near you. In Pennsylvania, the Eastern Pennsylvania District Office recently visited West Chester for a Small Business Walk to meet with local business owners to highlight the impact their presence and your dollars have on making our Eastern Pennsylvania small businesses a great place to live and shop.

Thank you for shopping small this holiday season.

John Fleming is the SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator.