Support Small Businesses in Fairmont on November 30th and Beyond

November 30 is the 10th annual Small Business Saturday, a shopping holiday that urges consumers to patronize small and independent businesses rather than online retailers or big box stores.

American Express was behind the first Small Business Saturday, which started in 2010. The initial goal was to counter the negative effects of the recession on small businesses and local economies.

The holiday quickly caught on. In 2011, the Senate passed a resolution in support of

Small Business Saturday. Consumers have now spent an estimated $103 billion at independent retailers and restaurants over the since Small Business Saturdays’ inception.

Small Businesses Make a Significant Economic Impact

According to the Small Business Administration, a small business could employ fewer than 250 or as many as 500. Many are retailers that are not generally associated with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but rather are owned by local residents who you see throughout the year at all types of community events. It is that same person that your daughter or son asks for a donation to support their latest school fundraiser. 

This same storefront will boast “Good Luck at State” signs in support of the local sports team. These small business owners are on school boards, are members of local chambers of commerce, are on the Community Festival committees and donate their time for just about any type of volunteer position needed in the community. Therefore, it’s important to support these local businesses by shopping locally. Small Business Saturday is about supporting ALL small businesses; after all, we hope folks from other communities come to Fairmont to shop downtown, to shop at our mall, to shop and do business along Highway 15 and to eat at our restaurants. 

Research has shown that independent businesses return triple the amount of money to local economies as their chain store competitors. Besides the direct impact of taxes and small business spending on things like wages and supplies, there’s the indirect impact of employee spending in the community as well. This multiplying effect is considerable.

Everyone knows that it’s appealing to buy from big online retailers; they bring consumers great convenience. But such mega-companies do even less than chain stores for local economies — since the only locally employed person involved in the transaction would be a delivery driver.

Consider the impact on local economies if more Americans made the effort to consciously buy from local businesses — not just during Small Business Saturday, but year-round. 

Reasons to Buy Local and Support Fairmont’s Businesses

• Your small business purchase is powerful. It’s an investment in a local entrepreneur’s dreams.
• Small businesses pay local taxes and employ local people, which helps build local economies.
• Local business owners are neighbors, colleagues and friends. Supporting them helps build the Fairmont community and social capital.
• Small business owners have ties to our community, which encourages them to give back and support area nonprofits and causes.
• Small businesses often cater to their customers, providing more personalized customer service. 
• Local businesses are more likely to have unique, handmade or one-of-a-kind products that can’t be found at chain stores or big online retailers.
• Buying from a local Fairmont business is more sustainable. Small businesses typically have less of an impact on the environment (reduced packaging, fewer emissions from shipping, etc.).

Another reason to support local businesses: it’s fun! 

If you haven’t had a chance to take in the view of downtown plaza after dark, it is a sight to see.  During this time of year, downtown after dark is an amazing place to be, with locals and visitors shopping or enjoying our restaurants in our beautifully decorated downtown.  These businesses employ our friends and neighbors which makes the shopping experience about so much more than crossing items off our shopping lists.  

Join Us in Supporting Local Businesses on November 30th and Beyond 

The Fairmont Economic Development Authority supports small businesses and recognizes their importance in our community, not only on Small Business Saturday but every day. 

The Fairmont Economic Development Authority (FEDA) coordinates and administers economic development initiatives for the City of Fairmont, MN. It serves as a comprehensive and premier resource for businesses seeking to startup, grow and locate in the area. FEDA’s priorities include business retention and expansion, financing, workforce development, recruitment, site development, housing and business startup. FEDA prides itself as a growing resource for Fairmont, MN news.