Consumers urged to shop Small Business Saturday - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Consumers urged to shop Small Business Saturday

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  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:14:28 GMT
    The produce is grown at the institute's headquarters in Dunbar, in its greenhouses and on its farm. The produce is available to the public and wholesalers through the "Growing Jobs" program.
    The produce is grown at the institute's headquarters in Dunbar, in its greenhouses and on its farm. The produce is available to the public and wholesalers through the "Growing Jobs" program.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:10 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:10:07 GMT
    Andrew Dunlap was named the new executive director June 10. Dunlap will oversee day-to-day operations and work closely with the Board of Directors to accomplish the goals of the PCDA.
    Andrew Dunlap was named the new executive director June 10. Dunlap will oversee day-to-day operations and work closely with the Board of Directors to accomplish the goals of the PCDA.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:16:11 GMT
    The West Virginia Sesquicentennial cake will make an impact on the celebration, clocking in at 8 feet long and 40 inches tall.
    The West Virginia Sesquicentennial cake will make an impact on the celebration, clocking in at 8 feet long and 40 inches tall.
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 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. 24.

Small businesses represent more than 96 percent of all employers in West Virginia, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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 focuses on economic revitalization of historic commercial districts. The organization serves 12 accredited Main Street communities and 16 ON TRAC communities.


"A vibrant commercial district can bolster small businesses, strengthen communities and revitalize the local economy," said Marsha Humphrey, state coordinator, Main Street West Virginia. "Now, with communities throughout our state recovering from the recent storms, it is more important than ever that we support our small businesses. It's as easy as walking into a shop on your local Main Street."


Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday, the traditional holiday shopping spree kick-off, and the online version Cyber Monday. Main Street West Virginia, a program of the West Virginia Development Office, focuses on economic revitalization of historic commercial districts.


The state's accredited Main Street communities are Charleston East End and Charleston West Side, both of Kanawha County; Fairmont and Mannington, both of 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 of Greenbrier County. For more information about West Virginia's Main Street communities, visit http://wvcommerce.org/people/.


This marks the third year for Small Business Saturday. American Express founded the event in 2010 to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.