JAMESTOWN-The City’s Chamber Of Commerce will help promote the 2017 Shop Small, Shop Local movement throughout the county.
The national event was launched by American Express in 2010. The event is held annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which this year falls on Nov 25th.
A 2010 study by the Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development shows that for every $100 in consumer spending with a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy and is dispersed through local wages, charitable donations, taxes that fund local services, and purchases of goods and services through other local businesses, according to a news release sent out by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber also says that the study indicates that for each $100 spent with a non-locally owned business, just $43 remains in the local economy.
“The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce works to promote local business year-round because we see the importance of supporting our local business owners and workforce,” officials said.
In 2014, an estimated $14.3-billion was spent at small independent businesses on Small Business Saturday.
Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi will help bring awareness to the movement with a ceremony at Lander’s Men’s Store on North Main Street on Friday afternoon.