Governor Dayton proclaims Small Business Saturday in Minnesota

Governor Dayton has proclaimed November 26, 2011, as Small Business Saturday, urging Minnesotans to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and all throughout the year.

Small businesses are crucial to creating jobs, boosting local economies and preserving neighborhoods in Minnesota.

According to the United States Small Business Administration, there are currently 28 million small businesses in the United States. Small businesses have created 65% of net new jobs over the last two decades and are the backbone of the economy and the glue that holds communities together.

Ninety-nine percent of U.S. consumers agree it is important to support small businesses in their communities, and 90% are willing to pledge support for a "Buy Local" initiative such as Small Business Saturday.

To that end, advocacy groups and public and private organizations across the country — including in Minnesota — have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

To read the proclamation, click here.