Press release
Huntington Encourages Shoppers To Think Local This Holiday Season
Small businesses urged to be on guard for cyberthreats during the holidays and take steps to protect themselves COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --
About this update from Huntington Bancshares Incorporated
[{"type":"text","content":"Small businesses urged to be on guard for cyberthreats during the holidays and take steps to protect themselves\n\n\nCOLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday shopping season underway, Huntington National Bank (Nasdaq: HBAN; www.huntington.com) is encouraging consumers to support small businesses and shop local.\nExperience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8926851-huntington-encourages-shoppers-to-support-small-businesses-shop-local/\nAccording to a 2021 Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy report, there are 32.5 million small businesses in the U.S., representing 99 percent of all businesses in the country. Small businesses employ almost 47 percent of the nation's workforce.\n\"Locally-owned small businesses are essential to the fabric of our communities,\" said Huntington's SBA Program Director, Maggie Ference. \"When small businesses succeed, so do individuals and communities. It becomes a rising tide for everyone.\"\nIn addition to providing vital goods and services, small businesses bring essential jobs to the communities they serve and drive economic development. From 1995 to 2020, small businesses accounted for 62 percent of net new job creation in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. \nBecause the health of local businesses and communities are so intertwined, Ference said it remains critical to shop local. \"We see local business owners continuing to work hard and innovate during this difficult time. It is such an inspiration and so important that we continue to show our support.\" \nIn addition to shopping in-person or online at favorite local establishments this holiday season, there are some other ways consumers can support local businesses, like sharing an experience on social media, writing reviews and seeking out new local businesses.\nWhile some of the hurdles for small businesses have changed compared to the 2020 holiday shopping season, it continues to be a critical time to think local.\n\"Small businesses have faced one obstacle after another since the beginning of last year, and the current supply chain and labor challenges are just the latest,\" Ference said. \"But that shouldn't prevent shoppers from supporting their local businesses. Just plan ahead and have a little patience.\" \nHuntington is com...