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Business Connections
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FALL 2016
7
The phrase “what goes around comes
around” applies to many things, including
your local economy. When your company and
other businesses keep your dollars local, you
benefit the community, local nonprofit agencies,
friends and neighbors, and—ultimately—your
own business. Here’s how it works:
Why it pays to think twice
before shopping online
The
Buy Local
Loop
YOU BUY
LOCAL
MORE
JOBS
CREATED
MORE
LOCAL
TAXES
SUPPORT FOR
NONPROFITS
MORE
SPENDING
POWER
YOU GET
MORE
CUSTOMERS
1. You buy local.
Sure, the convenience of online shopping
is compelling, and sometimes it even costs less. But consider
seeking out the same products and services close to home.
You get to bring needed items back to the office the same
day, skip the shipping costs, and get an opportunity to know
other business owners and employees in your community
who often provide better personal service and advice.
2. More business creates more jobs.
When you
support those local businesses, you’re also supporting
neighbors, friends, and relatives who can find jobs within
them. Small businesses provide over half of all jobs in the
U.S., but they can only do it if they keep their doors open.
By spending locally, your business does its part to make
sure that happens
3. More jobs create more spending power.
With
more jobs come more residents who can stay in the local
area, ensuring vitality and diversity. These citizens can also
afford to spend money locally, supporting the economy,
enlarging the tax base, and creating a better community
with enhanced schools, roads, and parks.
4. Successful businesses mean support for non-
profits.
Nonprofit organizations receive twice as much
support from small businesses as from larger ones. So, when
you support the local economy, you’re also supporting needed
services for groups like children, veterans, and the elderly.
5. Local individuals and businesses support you
back.
With a “buy local” mentality in your community,
you’ll get the benefit, too. If your business provides prod-
ucts or services to consumers, more of them will have the
spending power to purchase them. If your company is busi-
ness-to-business, other companies that need your products
or services will seek them out.
6. You see the benefit and continue to buy local.
As your business benefits from the positive “buy local loop,”
you have all the more reason to start the cycle again.
In addition to these benefits, shopping locally reduces environ-
mental impact, ensures a wider variety of shops and products,
and contributes to community health and diversity. If you’re not
already in the buy local habit, consider making your next pur-
chase from a vendor close to home.