Greater Economic Vitality
The money you spend in locally-owned stores re-circulates in the community
for 2 to 3 times the economic impact of dollars spent at national retailers.
(Studies show that locally-owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced
economic impact—For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 goes
back into the community and our tax base. For every $100 spent at a chain
store, only $14 comes back).
More and Better
Jobs
For every 2 jobs a national retailer brings to a community, 3 higher-wage
jobs are lost due to local businesses closing. Small local businesses are
the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs
to residents.
Fight Climate Change
When you shop locally you are less likely to need to use your car to run
your errands and will not need to drive as far when you do drive. This can
help you reduce your personal impact on global warming.
Reduce Sprawl and Habitat Loss
Big Box stores and other national retailers usually require large
undeveloped to accommodate their needs. Buying local means shopping closer
to home, which means less sprawl and the resulting habitat loss.
Less Dependency
on Oil
Locally-produced goods save on trucks and transportation. When you shop
locally you are less likely to need to use your car to run your errands and
will not need to drive as far when you do drive. Less driving mean less
need for oil.
Support community groups
Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller
locally-owned business owners than they do from large businesses.
Better Customer
Service
Community-based businesses compete on being responsive to their customers’
needs. As a result, local businesses often hire people with a better
understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to
know customers.
Put your taxes to good use
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure
investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to
nationally owned stores entering the community.
Community Empowerment
Local economic decision-making builds social capacity and empowers the
community.
A More Caring Community
Meeting our needs within the community encourages us to care for our
neighbors and the environment we share.
Local business owners invest in community
Local businesses are owned by people who live locally and are more invested
in the community’s future.
Competition and diversity lead to more choices
A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based on the needs
of their local customers and not on a national sales plan, guarantees a much
broader range of product choices.
Excerpt from:
http://web.mac.com/greencitymonkey/iWeb/buylocalgreenwood/Welcome .html