Capturing the shopping craze of Black Friday, some area businesses and public officials are also promoting Small Business Saturday. The Economic Development Council For Central Illinois and it's parent organization Heartland Partnership is marketing the initiative this Saturday. President of the local EDC Vickie Clark says Small Business Saturday urges area shoppers to support the lifeblood of communities.
Clark says Small business Saturday is a regional effort. She says 98% of all business in the Peoria area is considerd small business. Clark adds small business has generated 64% of net new jobs during the past 15 years. She says small business employs over half the private sector workers and 85% of new job generation comes from small business in any economy.
The national campaign was started last year by American Express. More about Saturday's event including special offers from particiapting businesses can be found on Facebook by finding Small Business Saturday Central Illinois.
