Much of Albert Lea’s success as a community centers around the success of its small businesses, so it only makes sense to get out and support these businesses when we get the opportunity.

Residents have the opportunity to do so this holiday season starting on Saturday during Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country, always on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. The concept was started as a marketing campaign by American Express in 2010, and has since morphed into its own movement.

According to the Small Business Administration, there are 509,732 small businesses in operation across Minnesota. The businesses make up more than 99 percent of all the businesses in the state.

Nationwide, there are 23 million small businesses, which is a 49 percent increase from 1982. Small businesses have created 8 million jobs since 1990, and 54 percent of U.S. sales happen at small businesses. The agency states 47.9 percent of all employees in the state worked for a small business in 2014.

Before you consider going online to look for gifts for your friends and family, instead check out the area’s boutiques and stores.

When you support a local business, you support your neighbors and your local economy. These are the businesses that donate to our schools, to benefits and to other good causes in the community. Let’s show them our thanks this season.