Small Business Saturday

medai release: Dane Buy Local Executive Director Paula Severson and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi will join other local business leaders for a press conference on Tuesday, November 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Oakstone Recreational, 304 Commerce Parkway in Cottage Grove. The event will highlight Dane Buy Local’s Holiday Passport campaign, Small Business Saturday, and the importance of sustaining local business for a vibrant, economically strong community.

“This holiday season, we encourage everyone to support our local businesses by participating in such events as Small Business Saturday and Shop Indie Local,” says Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Our small businesses help define Dane County’s culture, and everyone’s support keeps our community vibrant and local economy healthy.”

A 2022 local study done by Civic Economics showed that Dane County independent businesses recirculated 60.7% of revenue back into the local economy versus 30.4% from national chains. The study estimated that a market shift of 10% from chains to independents would retain an estimated $173 million in the local economy.

“Imagine what a 10% shift means for our neighborhoods, schools, and more,” says Severson. “While the campaign is focused on shopping local for the holidays, we also want people to think about choosing local in all of their purchasing decisions. This will have a positive ripple effect in our local economy.”

Dane Buy Local’s Holiday Passport campaign includes over 180 Dane County business participants. When someone spends $10 or more at a local business, they email their receipt to Dane Buy Local to be entered into a drawing. Over 70 gift cards, valued at $25 each, will be given away through December 17, and the campaign is made possible by Bank of Sun Prairie.

“Bank of Sun Prairie is proud to be a presenting sponsor for the Dane Buy Local Holiday Passport and Shop Local Celebration for the fourth year,” says Chief Retail Officer John Loeffler. “We encourage you to support local, independent businesses. They’re the lifeblood of our communities. They support our local events, nonprofits, school fundraisers and provide services vital to our everyday life.” Loeffler continues, “As Bank of Sun Prairie, a locally owned, independent community bank, celebrates the holiday season with our customers and communities, we are thrilled to do our part supporting this vital campaign at such an important time of year.”

For more information, visit danebuylocal.com