MARQUETTE — The weekend after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping weekend of the year, which is why Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has designated Nov. 26 as Small Business Saturday as a way to encourage Michigan residents to shop locally.

Black Friday is associated with hundreds of people lining up outside of big box stores but keeping a focus on local businesses allows residents to make sure that the money they spend stays in their communities.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” said Gov. Whitmer in a press release. “Supporting local small businesses and entrepreneurs creates good-paying jobs and supports more vibrant communities in every region of our state,”

“On Small Business Saturday, let’s celebrate Michigan’s small businesses and their invaluable contributions to our communities by shopping local-and let’s keep doing so throughout the holiday season and all year long. I will continue working with anyone to ensure that our small businesses have the resources they need to succeed as we continue growing Michigan’s economy and building a brighter future together.” Whitmer said.