Why Buy Local? 

Keep Dollars in the Local Economy
For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 stays here in the local economy, creating jobs and expanding the county and city's tax base. For every $100 spent at a national chain or franchise store, only $14 remains in the community.

Embrace & Create a Unique Sense of Place
Our area is a made up of small towns, cities and distinct neighborhoods. Where we shop, where we eat and hang out—all of it makes this area home. One-of-a-kind, independent businesses are an integral part of creating a successful college town and great area to live. In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that encourage unique businesses with a distinctive character have an economic advantage.

Nurture Community
Independent businesses are owned by people who live in this community and are committed to investing in the area's future. They build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.

Stand Out From the Crowd
In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character are more likely to attract entrepreneurs and new investment. Homegrown enterprises are a source of pride and attract visitors.

Benefit From Local Owners' Expertise
Local business owners and employees often possess a level of expertise and a passion for the products they sell that is unmatched by employees and managers of national chains. They also tend to have a greater interest in getting to know their customers—who are, after all, also their neighbors. Simply put, local owners and employees take a special pride in their trade.

Help the Environment
Local business owners tend to set up shop downtown and in walkable neighborhood business districts when possible, rather than developing on the city's fringe. Having a diverse array of businesses within walking or biking distance reduces the amount of driving residents must do to shop for goods and services. It also helps to conserve land, limit sprawl and lessen traffic and air pollution. We offer packing materials to customers and small businesses, and then recycle.

Have More Choices
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses helps to ensure more innovation and competition, and lower prices over the long term. Independent businesses, choosing products based on what their local customers need and desire, not a national sales plan, guarantee a more diverse range of product and service choices.

Preserve Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship fuels America's economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class. Plus, the success of locally owned, independent businesses provides inspiration to our young people, encouraging new entrepreneurs to prosper on their own terms.

Local Jobs
Studies show that locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than national chains.

Conserve Your Tax Dollars
Small neighborhood and downtown businesses require less public infrastructure and make more efficient use of city services compared to sprawling big-box stores and shopping centers, which are far more costly in terms of road work and police services, according to studies.

 

 

For details on studies regarding the impact of locally owned small businesses on the local economy, please visit the New Rules Project or the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.