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S P R I N G 2 0 1 7
The Buy
Local Loop
YOU BUY
LOCAL
MORE
JOBS
CREATED
MORE
LOCAL
TAXES
SUPPORT FOR
NONPROFITS
MORE
SPENDING
POWER
YOU GET
MORE
CUSTOMERS
Why it pays to think twice
before shopping online
The phrase “what goes around comes around”
applies to many things, including your local
economy. When your company and other busi-
nesses keep your dollars local, you benefit the
community, local nonprofit agencies, friends and
neighbors, and—ultimately—your own business.
Here’s how it works:
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 nonprofits.
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 products or services to con-
sumers, more of themwill have the spending power to purchase
them. If your company is business-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
purchase from a vendor close to home.