AMES – Small businesses are an important part of Iowa’s communities and play a central role to health and well-being of the state Iowa. To recognize the contributions of small businesses in Iowa, America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa has designated Saturday, May 6 as Focal on Local Day.

Individuals are encouraged to support and shop at their local small businesses on Saturday.

“Small businesses are vital to Iowa and we feel that should be highlighted more,” according to Lisa Shimkat, State Director for America’s SBDC Iowa.

There are over 266,000 small businesses in Iowa, representing 99.3 percent of the total establishments in the state. Nearly half of the employees in Iowa are employed by a small business. Small businesses are the drivers of creating new jobs.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to energize cities and communities in Iowa to focus on all of the amazing local businesses,” Shimkat said.

America’s SBDC Iowa employs certified business advisors, many of whom are former business owners and hold nationally — and internationally — recognized professional certifications.

America’s SBDC Iowa is an outreach program of Iowa State University’s College of Business and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, America’s SBDC Iowa has 15 regional assistance centers located strategically across the state.