OKEECHOBEE – Saturday, Nov. 25 is Small Business Saturday in Okeechobee County.

At their Nov. 9 meeting, Paulette Wise, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee, asked the Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners to issue a proclamation designating Nov. 25, 2023 as Small Business Saturday in Okeechobee County, Florida.

The Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County will host Small Business Saturday in downtown Okeechobee. Wise said chamber officials will be in Flagler Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25 to hand out “passports” with a map showing 40 participating businesses and goody bags with coupons.

Small Business Saturday will also include live entertainment, children’s games, a gift wrapping station, a holiday photo booth, raffles and more.

“Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 by American Express and officially co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration since 2015. Small Business Saturday has become an important part of how many small businesses launch their busiest shopping season,” the county proclamation states.

Okeechobee County believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the glue that holds communities together. According to the United States Small Business Administration, as of 2020, there are currently 31.7 million small businesses in the United States. They represent more than 99 percent of American companies, create two-thirds of the net new jobs, and generates half of gross domestic product.

“Small businesses employ over 55% of the employees in the private sector in the United States; and 89% of consumers in the United States believe it’s important to support the local, small businesses they value in their community; and they agree that locally owned, independent businesses contribute positively through paying taxes and providing jobs.

“Okeechobee County supports local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods,” the proclamation continues.

“Advocacy groups and public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.”