Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared November 27th as Small Business Saturday in Michigan and urges Michiganders to buy locally this Saturday and throughout the year to support Michigan’s small businesses. Rob Fowler, CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, says the pandemic caused people to change their shopping habits.
“Lots of people began to shop online,” says Fowler. “Amazon really prospered in the pandemic, and at the expense of local retail. I don’t know if its ever been more important for people to change back their habits and support local businesses.”
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses comprise more than 98% of Michigan businesses and employ half of Michigan workers. For every $100 spent at a local business, roughly $68 stays in the local economy, allowing business and job growth.
