POULSBO — Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, is Nov. 24.

“Small Business Saturday is a national initiative that marks a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country,” said Nancy Porzio, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

An estimated 103 million Americans decided to shop at independently-owned small businesses in support of Small Business Saturday in 2011. “By shopping at small businesses, our money goes right back into the local economy, directly contributing to job growth here in the community,” Porzio said.

This year marks the third annual Small Business Saturday, with a goal of supporting and driving shoppers to America’s job creators. According to Regional SBA Administrator Calvin Goings, “Small businesses generate two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. and half of working Americans either own or work for a small business.”

The SBA’s website for Small Business Saturday, www.sba.gov/saturday, provides tips for holiday marketing, hiring temporary workers and gearing up for the holiday season.