Business Connections by Adams

F A L L 2 0 1 9 7 BUSINESS connections Adams is a big believer in small businesses. If we work together as community members, we can help small businesses succeed despite the increasing competition from national chains and online mega-retailers. Given the prevailing emphasis on simply finding the cheapest price when making purchase decisions, it’s important to remind our friends and neighbors of the substantial community benefits of buying local. They include: Improving Our Local Economy – Each dollar we spend at small local businesses returns three times more money to our local economy than one spent at a chain and almost 50 times more than buying from an online mega-retailer. 1 Creating Local Jobs and Opportunities – Not only do small local businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they also employ an array of supporting services by buying local themselves. They hire local architects, contractors, accountants, insurance brokers, computer consultants, and attorneys. They also tend to carry a higher percentage of locally produced goods than chains, meaning more jobs for local suppliers. In contrast, a chain store is typically a clone of other units, which eliminates the need for local planning and uses a minimum of local goods and services. Keeping Our Community Unique – Small local businesses give a community its distinct character and personality. Conversely, a preponderance of chain restaurants and stores creates communities that all start to look alike. By supporting the one-of-a- kind businesses in our community, we help maintain the uniqueness that makes living here enjoyable and attracts visitors. Giving More Support to Local Causes – In general, small local businesses donate more per sales dollar to local nonprofits, events, and sports teams compared to big businesses. Their owners and employees are also more likely to “do good” through volunteering at community events and serving on local advisory boards. Whenever possible, Adams encourages you to buy local (and dine local, play local, and give local) and spread this message to others. It’s up to all of us to keep our community thriving. To learn about our company’s support of local youth programs, visit www.adams. net/youth. 1 https://www.amiba.net/resources/localhero/ Be Vocal About Buying Local Employee Profile Derek Rigg Business Service Technician Derek Rigg started at Adams in 1999, a year after graduating from high school. He previously worked for a local farmer. During his 20 years as an Adams employee, Rigg has expanded his skills and knowledge. How would he describe his Business Service Technician responsibilities? He replies, “I’m primarily a business installer and troubleshooter, and I assist Adams Experts with network cable installations. I also handle an array of other tasks as they arise.” Rigg adds, “What I find most rewarding about my job is interacting with business personnel during the installation process and working hard to exceed their expectations. Adams is a great place to work with a great team atmosphere.” Outside of work, Rigg likes to spend time with his wife of 14 years, Gabrielle, and their two children: son Reese, 9; and daughter Ella, 7. “We enjoy doing outdoor activities together as a family. I also still help a local farmer in my free time and coach my children’s baseball and softball teams.”