As Thanksgiving Day nears, that means Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the shopping season are right behind.

And in the midst of that is one very important day you won’t want to miss: Small Business Saturday.

The annual event, promoted by American Express and business and hometown organizations across the nation. encourages shoppers to “shop small” in their hometown, locally owned businesses.

Last year, more than 100 million people came together to “shop small” on that Saturday.

Here in Pike County, thousands of us will head to our local stores on Black Friday, Saturday and throughout the holiday season – as well we should.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Nationally, small businesses pay 44 percent of the total U.S. private payroll; they created 65 percent of the net new jobs in the 17 year period ending in 2009; and in a recent survey, 89 percent of consumers said they believe small businesses contribute positively to their local communities.

We second that, knowing just how important these hometown businesses are to our community – from the people they employe to the taxes they pay to the support they offer so much more as well.

So go ahead, start your shopping season this weekend and remember to shop at home – and “Shop Small.”

It will pay big dividends for all of us.