| April 11, 2007 |
Shop Local!We’ve heard this phase countless times, but do we really understand the benefits of shopping local? According to a recent survey, apparently not, as nine out of ten adults (92%) were not aware that they benefit by shopping at home. Texas rural communities under 5,000 in population will spend an average 3.8 million dollars per year in neighboring communities on items and services that are available in their home community. The Multiple Effects of Money (MEM) factor for rural Texas is five. This means that one dollar spent in our community will change hands five times in our community. When the MEM factor is applied to the spending outside of our community, this 3.8 million dollars converts to 19 million dollars per year that rightfully belongs in circulation in OUR community. Shopping in our Main Street community means finding merchandise that reflects our local heritage and products that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s about making a connection. It’s about keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive and helping local businesses compete against the big box retailers. Choosing to shop locally, lets these businesses know that you appreciate them and want them to stay in business in your community. Here are ten more reasons to shop at home: - Local businesses maintain diversity and reflect the community character through the unique products and services offered, preserving an authentic sense of place.
- Vibrant Main Street communities help reduce sprawl embodying smart growth principal and pedestrian friendly communities.
- Historic Preservation is the ultimate recycling finding new uses for historic buildings, reducing the demand for new materials, and preventing unnecessary materials headed to the land fill.
- Commercial districts are prominent employment centers.
- Main Street communities are home to entrepreneurs, the lifeblood of social mobility.
- Main Street communities provide an important civic forum for community congregation and reinforcing the intangible sense of place.
- Everyone benefits from a revitalized historic district and historic shopping areas also boost the community’s cultural and heritage tourism potential.
- Holiday online shopping is rising for all businesses. Independent businesses are more positively affected which can make in difference in their ability to remain competitive.
- Community based businesses give more time and money to local activities.
- Buying from an independence business has a greater economic impact in that each dollar spent in our community will stay in our community.
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