It’s that time of year! Don’t forget to support your local businesses this week for the Shop Owensboro 2021 event, held and sponsored by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Independence Bank. This local shopping event started at the Owensboro Convention Center, where participants could pick up their free Shop Owensboro bag via drive-thru and shop local businesses all week long (Nov. 27 – Dec. 4). The bags are limited to 500 and contain maps with participating stores, Shop Owensboro BINGO cards, coupons, special offers and discounts and hidden gift certificates from the stores.

Don’t forget that by supporting your local shops, you are also supporting your community which is especially important during these times. On average, 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses is recirculated locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at chain stores. That 48% is used to help support our public schools, parks, roads, sidewalks, etc.

Small businesses also make a huge economic impact. Since 1995, more than half of the U.S.’s jobs were created by small businesses. And according to the SBA, since 1990, big businesses eliminated 4 million jobs, while small businesses added 8 million jobs. The more you shop at a local store, the more potential job opportunities you could help them provide.