When you buy local, you are making a decision that will have far-reaching advantages in your community. Supporting local businesses, helps to support your local economy. Significantly more money stays in a community when purchases are made at locally owned – rather than nationally owned – businesses. The U.S. Small Business Association and the U.S. Department of Labor report the positive impacts of small, independent business on local economies.
·Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses such as banks, service providers, and farms.
·For every $100 you spend at local businesses, $68 will stay in the community.
·Independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the community in which they operate than chain competitors. Independent restaurants return more than two times as much money per dollar of sales than national restaurant chains.
·47% of Americans frequent small businesses anywhere from two to four times every week.
·Small businesses employ over 77 million Americans and accounted for over half of all new jobs
In addition to helping build a local economy, there are intangible benefits that come from supporting businesses in your local community. For example, local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors. They care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future. In addition, local businesses are more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits. With all these benefits, please consider shopping locally. Source info from US Dept of Labor, MA blog, zippa.com.
As published in The Caswell Messenger October 2021
