W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 7 BUSINESS solutions Every time you choose where to purchase goods or services, you have a powerful opportunity to make a difference in this community. When you choose local businesses and locally produced goods and services, you’re reinvesting money right here and helping to create a stronger local economy. Here are some of the top reasons to buy local: Greater Economic Vitality The money you spend in locally owned stores has two to three times the economic impact of dollars spent at national retailers. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes back into the community and our tax base. By comparison, for every $100 spent at a chain store, only $14 comes back. More and Better Jobs For every two jobs a national retailer brings to a community, three higher-wage jobs are lost due to local businesses closing. Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, and they provide the most jobs to our residents. Protection of Unique Culture Local one-of-a-kind businesses reflect our unique culture and character, contributing to the success of tourism. Improved Product Selection A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based on the needs of their local customers rather than a national sales plan, results in a much broader range of product choices. Environmental Benefits Big-box stores and other national retailers usually require large undeveloped land to accommodate their needs. Buying local means shopping closer to home, which means less sprawl and the resulting habitat loss along with reduced driving and dependence on oil. Increased Support for Community Groups Local nonprofit organizations receive an average of 250 percent more support from smaller, locally owned business owners than they do from national companies. Efficient Use of Taxes Local businesses typically require a much smaller infrastructure investment as compared to nationally owned stores that enter a community. This makes for a more efficient use of public services. While we realize it may not always be possible to buy what you need from a local business, please remember to think local first. Why Buy Local? Watch Out for Caller ID Spoofing One of the best ways to avoid phone scams has traditionally been to not answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize on your Caller ID. But crooks have a sneaky way around this. With Caller ID spoofing, they’re able to make it appear as if their calls are coming from a local phone number—perhaps even from someone you know. That way, you’re more likely to pick up. Unfortunately, Caller ID spoofing is a large-scale issue that’s impacting many homes and businesses. The goal of this scam is to get you to reveal personal information such as account numbers, passwords, and Social Security numbers. Madison Communications is aware of Caller ID spoofing and other fraudulent phone practices, and we’ve implemented all internal mitigation tactics currently available. The FCC is working diligently to develop additional ways to reduce the incidence of these scams. To learn more about Caller ID spoofing and watch a video on the topic, visit www.fcc.gov/spoofing.
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