Local is good!
You've heard that patronizing local, non-chain businesses is good. But really, what's the big deal?
It may seem that buying distantly produced goods is the way to go to keep your budget under control. However, along with lower prices comes the added cost of repercussions on the environment and impacts on the economic well being of your community, your neighbors, your friends and, ultimately, you.
You may think: buying my morning coffee at a national chain is no big deal. That small daily habit can be easily changed and it benefits you!
There's a lot of research out there and it can be easily categorized into three headings.
- Economic Multiplier Effect - Businesses in your town buy more often from other businesses in your town which recirculates more money in your region. Since many business owners live right there in your community, the profits stay in your economy.
- Sustainability - When you purchase goods made closer to your home, it reduces fossil fuel use, shortens the supply chain and uses less packaging. Nothing bad about any of those things.
- Community - Local entrepreneurs are more connected to your community and more likely to support community projects. Why? Because just like you, they also have hobbies, go to events, volunteer, dine at local favorite restaurants and donate to favorite local causes.
Can't get enough research facts? The following is just for you!
→ Aircraft transport has greater fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions per mile than any other mode of transport.
→ The amount of sulfur oxide pollution that comes from the 15 largest transport ships equals the combined amount coming from all the cars in the world.
→ A 10% shift of the produce to local farms would save 310,000 gallons of fuel on an annual basis.
→ Food transportation uses a lot of packaging which is necessary for farms to keep food from spoiling when it is transported long distances and stored. This packaging is often difficult or impossible to reuse or recycle.
→ The EPA reports trucks spend 3,221 of their 6,816 hours on the road each year at an idle. 1.2 billion gallons of fuel and about 200,000 tons of nitrous oxides are expended each year by transport trucks idling at rest stops.
→ National chains create jobs but often at the cost of loss of employment at local businesses and replacing higher paid, skilled workers with minimum wage, low skill workers. The opening of a Wal-Mart reduces retail employment by an average of 150 jobs within a 12-month period.
→ Local businesses are usually established in city centers, instead of on the margins of communities like large chains. That means they contribute less to pollution, congestion, habitat loss and urban sprawl.
→ For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy. For non-locally owned business, only $43 remains in the local economy.
→ When you shop locally owned businesses, your money is recirculated over and over and creates up to 75% more tax revenue to your community and state.These dollars create revenue to pay for things like parks, libraries and city services.
→ If an average city's population were to shift 10% of their spending from chains to local businesses, it would bring an additional $235 million per year to the community’s economy.
So, actually, the best long-term choice is to support local or regional businesses. Please support your local businesses and enjoy The Original Shopping Districts.
