The Haywood County Chamber of Commerce will participate in the second-annual Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26.

Small Business Saturday is a day for dedicating a portion of holiday shopping to local, independently owned small businesses.

Small business advocate groups, public and private organizations and elected officials joined American Express, the founding sponsor of Small Business Saturday, to launch the national program in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more demand for their products and services.

The chamber recognizes the importance of small businesses in Haywood County, the jobs they create and the culture they instill in local communities. Small businesses have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years and employ just over half of all private sector employees, according to the Small Business Administration.

Small business owners can go to Facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday to download online promotional materials that will help them drive sales to their business on Small Business Saturday, and everyone can spread the word about the day and their favorite businesses by giving a shout-out to their favorite local shops and restaurants via Facebook and Twitter.