Embracing Small Business Saturday: why shopping local matters for our communities

By Andi McClintic,

assistant director

of Lending Services with

the Center for Rural Affairs

As November begins, so does the busiest shopping season of the year. We’re familiar with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but let’s not overlook Small Business Saturday—a day dedicated to supporting the businesses that keep our communities vibrant and unique. On this day, shop small and make an impact close to home by supporting the shops, services, and makers in our own backyards.

Rural and local businesses face unique pressures. They compete not only with the convenience of online shopping but also with...