Supporting and promoting local businesses and merchants is a huge priority this holiday season in North Platte.

Mayor Marc Kaschke kicked off the event with a proclamation, declaring November 24th, small business day in North Platte.

Several business owners and members of the downtown association attended the event at the Espresso Shoppe downtown Monday.

Mayor Kaschke encourages people to shop downtown because he says small businesses are the backbone of the community.

"Small businesses are really the backbone of our community and so this upcoming Saturday really a day to celebrate that and encourage people to go out and support those businesses and really help them out. If you look back over 60% of jobs have been created by our small businesses. So by supporting them, we help our local communities," says Marc Kaschke, North Platte Mayor.