Investing in your community—Small Business Saturday asks shoppers to keep money local

Imperial’s small business owners are preparing their stores for “Small Business Saturday” opportunities for local shoppers on Nov. 27.
“On behalf of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, I encourage all people to shop locally, not only on Small Business Saturday, but all year long,” said Eric Haider, Chamber of Commerce president.
The Chamber of Commerce’s goal is to help all Imperial businesses grow and to provide opportunities for people to shop here at home, he said.
The city of Imperial’s website displays a number of local businesses for shoppers, especially those from out-of-town, to purchase gift certificates online from businesses in this community, said Jo Leyland, city clerk/administrator.
“To purchase a gift certificate on our website for one or more of our local stores, select ‘SHOP’ followed by ‘GIFT CERTIFICATE.’ If the GC is from one of the businesses listed on our site, the credit card charge will be paid for by one of our banks in support of our town’s businesses,” Leyland said.
If preferred, a GC can be purchased over the phone by calling the city office at 308-882-4368, she added.
While it’s tempting to shop online and at big-box stores or corporate chains for slightly lower prices, most Nebraskans understand small businesses are the backbone for economies, said a spokesman for the Center for Rural Affairs.
Supporting small businesses isn’t all about shopping, said Jessica Campos, director of the women’s business center at the Nebraska Center for Rural Affairs.
Just sharing on social media supports your local businesses, and it’s a great motivator for others in your community to support small businesses, too, she continued.
She also believes lessons learned during COVID disruptions will translate into more people spending dollars at mom-and-pop shops across Nebraska.
“I think the pandemic has been a catalyst for many Americans in both rural and urban settings to think more locally in terms of supporting their neighbors, their local food systems and local economies,” Campos said.
When a small business closes, the community loses an employer, a school sponsor and a neighbor who is forced to find work elsewhere, Campos pointed out.
Eric Galatas with the Nebraska News Connection said locally produced honey, artwork, handmade scarves, sweaters and much more will not be stuck on a container ship this holiday season.
The local Southwest Nebraska Crafters & Entrepreneuers members understand this concept, said Gayla Mayden, SWNE organizer.
Small businesses are counting on a strong showing on Small Business Saturday, Galatas said.
“When our businesses grow, our town will continue to prosper,” Haider said.
Shop locally, invest in our community and enjoy life, he added.