First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday.

On November 27, comes Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.Downtown Tamaqua joins the national movement spearheaded by American Express OPEN, the company's division dedicated to U.S. small businesses, who is partnering with more than a dozen small business advocate groups.Downtown Tamaqua recognizes the importance of small businesses in Tamaqua, the revenue they generate and the character they instill in local neighborhoods."Supporting our local businesses, makes sense, when you consider the amount of money that they reinvest into our local economy through taxes, payroll, and their support of all our community organizations and local events", said Linda Yulanavage, Downtown Tamaqua's Main Street Manager."We are proud to welcome Downtown Tamaqua into the Small Business Saturday movement," said Susan Sobbott, president, American Express OPEN. "We hope to get as many supporters on board as possible to raise awareness and generate demand for small, independently owned businesses this holiday season and beyond."Joining the MovementSocial media will play a central role in helping raise awareness about the importance of supporting small business and recognizing Small Business Saturday.American Express launched campaigns on Facebook and Twitter driving consumers and business owners to facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday where they can participate in many ways.The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce manages the Main Street program for the Borough of Tamaqua. The Chamber's website (www.tamaqua.net) contains links to more information about local businesses, as well as information on Small Business Saturday.Contact: Linda Yulanavage, Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, at (570) 668-1880 or email

chamber@tamaqua.net.