Nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the 2nd Annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. On Saturday, November 26th theSouthport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerceis joining American Express and others across the nation to ask residents to shop their favoritelocal small businessto help fuel the local economy.

American Express Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth I. Chenault launched the nationwide program in 2010. "Small business is the engine of job creation in the US economy," said Mr. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer, American Express. "It is also among the sectors hardest hit by the recession. By spreading the word about Small Business Saturday, we can help raise awareness about the critical role small businesses play in cities and towns across the country at a time when they need support the most."

Small businesses are critical to the nation's overall economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States last year. Over the past two decades, they created 65 percent of net new jobs. Their importance to local communities extends even further. For every $100 spent in locally-owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, according to the small business advocacy group The 3/50 Project.

Pledge to Shop Small on Saturday, November 26th!