Go big by shopping small on Nov. 30 | Guest op

Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30. It’s an opportunity to shop at and support our small businesses in downtown Kent. We urge residents to dedicate a portion of their holiday shopping to our local small business in downtown Kent.

When you shop small at an independent, locally owned business, 52 percent of what you spend stays right in our community, supporting local organizations and services.

The goals for Small Business Saturday align with the goals of the Find it in Kent campaign that began a few years ago. The Small Business Saturday event encourages residents to look for opportunities to shop within downtown. Our expectation is that by spending at least one day shopping in downtown Kent you acknowledge the importance of your small businesses and the strength they provide to Kent’s economy. Shopping at small, local businesses can have a significant, positive impact on the local economy.

By shopping local, you are investing in your community, you are supporting our schools, you maintain our parks and you help to repair our roads and you help in creating and sustaining local jobs. You also protect local character and prosperity, community well-being and entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship” fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.”

One small purchase can make a big difference; pledge to shop small. Kent Downtown Partnership likes to say, “shop local and shop often.” You have the power to make a difference by shifting some of your shopping to local small businesses.

Barbara Smith is executive director of the Kent Downtown Partnership. Reach her at 253-813-6965 or barbaras@kentdowntown.org.