NATCHEZ — With your help, $773,420 could easily be churning through our local economy this Saturday.

And no one has to buy a car or a diamond ring — though such purchases are surely welcome too.

Local businesses have partnered with The Natchez Democrat to make this Saturday all about $20 on the 20th.

Adams County and Concordia Parish residents — all 38,671 that are 18 years and older — are encouraged to get out of the house, celebrate spring and spend at least $20 at a local business.

Some area stores will have special $20 sales on select items. A full list of specials will be featured in the Saturday edition of The Democrat.

Residents can spend their $20 at a gas station, grocery store or gift shop and make a huge difference in the local economy, Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Director Debbie Hudson said.

“The more we help each other, the better the bang for the buck,” Hudson said. “Small businesses have to join forces to make things work.”

Every $20 bill spent in a local store helps keep the businesses’ doors open, its employees paid and the community ticking, Hudson said.

And money spent locally also fuels governmental services like police and fire protections and roadwork.

If every Adams County resident spent $20 in Natchez Saturday, the City of Natchez would receive a $6,228 boost in sales tax revenues; the state of Mississippi would get a much higher boon.

If each Concordia Parish resident spent $20 in Vidalia the town would get $7,311, the school board would get $5,848.80 and Riverland Medical Center would get $731.10. The same would apply to each government respectively if every resident spent their $20 entirely in the parish or entirely in Ferriday.

“Spend local, spend local, spend local,” Hudson said. “Money is coming back from tax refunds; please don’t go somewhere else. Spend it here.”

Area chambers and businesses have promoted shop at home programs more heavily during recent tough economic times, and it’s beginning to work, Hudson said.

“People are staying home and looking at what we have,” she said. “Because of the economy, they are staying home.”

Locals have started exploring their local options more than ever, Hudson said. And promotions like $20 on 20th provide just another reason to get out and shop.

For more information on the $20 on the 20th deals, see Saturday’s edition of The Democrat.