Today marks the third annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.

In 2011, more than 2.7 million Facebook users, 230 public and private organizations, 75 corporations and elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., declared their support for Small Business Saturday.

Last year, more than 500,000 small-business owners leveraged an online tool or promotional materials for Small Business Saturday, and 15,000 businesses signed up for free Facebook advertising to promote their products and services in the run-up to Small Business Saturday.