By Hope Tinney

When the lists of “best places to live” are compiled, communities that top the lists often share two qualities: they have a thriving downtown and active civic engagement.

Not coincidentally, small business owners are key to both.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 30.2 million small businesses in the U.S., which account for 99.9 percent of all businesses. Small businesses employ about 59 million people, or about 48 percent of the workforce.

In addition, small businesses support their communities in myriad ways, including providing jobs, generating sales tax revenue and giving of cash, time or goods to support local nonprofits or other community groups.

Saturday Nov. 24 is national Small Business Saturday and shoppers have an opportunity to pay it forward or pay it back by shopping at their local small businesses.

When small businesses succeed, local communities thrive. The Washington Small Business Development Center is a publicly funded network of more than two dozen business advisors working one-on-one with small business owners in communities across the state to help them start, grow or buy/sell a business.

Small businesses create jobs, drive innovation, provide opportunities for entrepreneurs — including women and minorities — to achieve financial success and independence, and often adapt quickly and creatively to changes in the economy.

In addition, they are often the first to offer help when a community need arises. From uniforms for youth sports teams to prizes for sober grad night or donations for nonprofit fundraising events, small businesses make huge contributions to community events.

Small Business Saturday, always the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is supported by a large coalition of businesses, economic development agencies and small business advocates, including the U.S. Small Business Administration and America’s Small Business Development Centers. American Express is a major sponsor of a variety of promotions being held across the country.

The Washington SBDC provides no-cost, one-on-one, confidential advising to small business owners who want to start, grow or transition their business.

The Washington SBDC is hosted by Washington State University and receives major support from the SBA.

Washington SBDC also receives support from local community colleges, economic development groups and civic or business groups. See the website at www.wsbdc.org

• Hope Tinney is director of communications for the Washington Small Business Development Center.