Shoppers are being asked to make a big difference to small businesses by spending at least one day supporting their local communities. The national Small Business Saturday takes place Nov. 30.
Small businesses represent more than 96 percent of all employers in West Virginia, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small Business Saturday falls between “Black Friday,” the traditional holiday shopping spree kickoff, and the online version “Cyber Monday.” American Express founded the event in 2010 to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
Main Street West Virginia encourages consumers to answer the call to “shop small” at hometown stores and boost the local economy. A program of the West Virginia Development Office, Main Street West Virginia uses a common-sense approach to tackle the complex issue of downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization, capitalizing on the history and the resources of the community itself. The organization serves 12 accredited Main Street communities and 14 ON TRAC communities.
“A vibrant commercial district can bolster small businesses, strengthen communities and revitalize the local economy,” said Jennifer Ferrell, state coordinator of Main Street West Virginia. “It is important that we support our small businesses. It’s as easy as walking into a shop on your local Main Street.”
The state’s accredited Main Street communities are: Charleston East End and Charleston West Side, both in Kanawha County; Fairmont and Mannington, both in Marion County; Kingwood, Preston County; Martinsburg, Berkeley County; Morgantown, Monongalia County; Philippi, Barbour County; Point Pleasant, Mason County; Ripley, Jackson County; and Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs, both in Greenbrier County.
The state’s accredited ON TRAC communities are: Belington, Barbour County; Beverly and Elkins, both in Randolph County; Madison, Boone County; Parkersburg, Wood County; Parsons, Tucker County; Charles Town, Jefferson County; Romney, Hampshire County; Rowlesburg, Preston County; Shinnston, Harrison County; Sutton, Braxton County; Wheeling, Ohio County; Marlinton, Pocahontas County; and Kenova, Wayne County.
For more information about West Virginia’s Main Street and ON TRAC communities, visit http://www.wvcommerce.org.
