“Going local means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at competitive wages, and service primarily local customers. It means becoming more self sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the board rooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”
– Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local –
So, you get WHAT it means…let us look at the WHY
1. Local Economic Stimulus. When you purchase locally rather than nationally, more money is kept in the community because locally owned business purchase form other local owned business, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as tax base.
2. Non-Profits Receive Greater Support. Local business owners donate more to charities than non-local owners.
3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity. Your local community is defifined in large by the businesses that reside there and that plays a big factor of your overall satisfaction of where you live and how your community is promoted. For example, Sanibel Island loves and supports its local businesses. There are not many corporate retail stores and restaurants.
4. Most New Jobs are Provided by Local Businesses. Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. The more jobs in your community, the less people must commute which means less traffic and pollution.
5. Customer Service Tends to be Better. Local business will hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. These are people you will see around town weekly; they are less likely to be rude because they see you in the community.
6. Local Business Owners Invest in the Community. Local owners are less likely to leave and are more invested in the community’s welfare and future.
7. Competition and Diversity leads to More Consumer Choices. A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over long term.
8. You Matter More. It is a fact that small businesses respond more effifficiently to their customers. Your values and desires are much more influential to your local business owners than that of a large, big box store. Does a local restaurant care more about a repeat local customer than a chain? You bet, just as a local art dealer, office supplier and other such businesses. It is the local owners who care and establish relationships with the people who shop their stores and live in their communities.
9. Longevity of Staff. Local owners are the shop keepers, chefs, estimators, cashiers, consultants, sales staff, etc. You do not see high turnover in staff with local businesses as you do in big box. Visit a local big box and tell me if you see the same cashier, clerk, or manager for one year.
10. Why not?! Why wouldn’t you support your neighbor, your friend & your own community. Support to the people that invest in your neighborhood~
