Small business owners throughout West Virginia Mountain
State and across the United States
“West Virginia ’s
small businesses are major contributors to the strength of our local
economies,” said Kristina Oliver, state director of the West Virginia Small
Business Development
Center
“When you invest in small business,
that makes sense as an economic development strategy.”
Special sales, promotions,
giveaways and other events were planned to attract shoppers to local
independent businesses in West
Virginia
Participating communities include Charleston , Fairmont , Kingwood,
Mannington, Martinsburg, Morgantown , Philippi,
Point Pleasant, Ripley, Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs along with
Belington, Beverly , Kenova, Madison ,
Marlinton, Parkersburg , Parsons, Charles Town,
Romney, Rowlesburg, Shinnston, Sutton and Wheeling
During last year’s Small Business
Saturday, those with Casto’s Department Store in Ripley said business was up by
at least 35 percent.
Nationwide, the Small Business
Administration estimated shoppers spent approximately $5.7 billion at
locally-owned stores during 2013’s Small Business Saturday. This year, the SBA
is partnering with the National Restaurant Association to encourage people who
are “shopping small” on Saturday to also “dine small” at locally-owned
restaurants.
More than 95 percent of West Virginia
Oliver said, overall, those small
businesses are thriving.
“There have been some hills and
valleys with the economic challenges within the state as throughout the
country,” she said. “But I believe that our small businesses are strong and
they’re seeking the opportunities that they need to be successful.”
Oliver said West Virginia
“They focus on getting the skills and talents that they need.
They reach out for technical assistance and management assistance. They try to
learn all that they can and put together a strategic plan and keep focused on
that,” she said.
