Supporting the businesses of Beaufort County is of utmost importance, especially during the holiday season.

To emphasize this, the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and First South Bank are partnering to hold the second annual Buy Local Day on Saturday, Nov. 28. Any business in the county can participate, and the only condition is that the business provides some sort of promotion for the day, whether that is a sale, drawing or “grab bag.”

Buy Local Day also coincides with one of the biggest weekends for retailers, which includes Black Friday.

As the large department store chains and major retailers gear up for the crowd, and shoppers get ready for the deals, it can be easy to forget about the shop just right around the corner.

For smaller retailers, the days surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday plays a big role in determining the profits for the year, and the outcome of such a weekend can even make or break a business.

That is why Beaufort County residents’ participation in Buy Local Day is so important. For every dollar spent here, that means more money is flooding into the county’s economy. A healthy economy leads to healthy businesses, a thriving county and a better quality of life for residents.

Even if one feels as though his or her purchase will not matter, it is actually the opposite — the truth is that every single dollar counts. And what better way to give back to one’s place called home by investing one’s hard-earned dollars there?

Not only that, but Beaufort County businesses offer some of the best variety in shopping, whether it’s art, clothing or novelty items. The employees have plenty of that Beaufort County hospitality, and more than likely, it’ll be a familiar face.

Besides, there’s nothing better than the one-on-one interaction and friendly smiles to be encountered right here at home.