Today, we continue our series on thankfulness with a word of gratefulness to our local businesses.

They do a lot for us.

According to Michigan State University’s Center for Community and Economic Development, small businesses:

∫ Create two out of every three new jobs in the U.S.

∫ Circulate more money back into the local economy than do national chains.

∫ Contribute more to local charities than do national chains.

∫ Add community character and uniqueness and increase choices for consumers.

∫ They also tend to have a smaller environmental footprint than the big chain stores.

Today is Shop Local Saturday, and we hope you’ll join us in showing your appreciation for local businesses by shopping at a small, locally owned business.

That’s the best way to pay them back for all they’ve done for us.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)