Cristie ThomasThe Mid-Ohio Valley is a popular tourist destination and a place locals love to live, much in part because of the growing small business community. Small businesses are the cornerstone of our local economy. The more supported small businesses are, the stronger our communities are for it. Here are 10 reasons why shopping locally contributes to a stronger, brighter future for the Mid-Ohio Valley!
Local businesses support local events, sports teams & charities 250% more than big corporations. Small business is the foundation of our local economy and their support of our civic sector is one of the primary contributors to the success of our towns. The contributions of the small business sector directly correlate to the health of our area schools, nonprofits, charities, and more.
When you visit an independent local business, more of your money will stay in our local economy. For every $100 you spend at locally-owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community. By shopping local, consumers help build the local economy.
Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors. When you shop locally, you help create jobs for teachers, firemen, police officers, and many other essential professions.
Shopping local is environmentally friendly. Buying from a locally-owned business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.
Pay fewer taxes by shopping local. Shopping in a local business district means less wear on infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify your community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong— in your community!
Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. By nurturing local businesses, consumers ensure a strong community by investing in entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving by supporting risk-taking small business owners and artists.
Over 60% of all jobs are created by small and local businesses. Supporting small business owners grows the capacity of the local market to hire more employees, thereby bringing more local jobs to local communities.
Local makes people happy. Employees of small businesses consistently report higher job satisfaction than those of larger corporations.
You create more choices. Locally owned businesses pick the items and products they sell based on what they know you like and want. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because they buy for their own individual markets.
You support the expertise of our neighbors and friends. Locally owned businesses have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. Local business owners are passionate about what they do and thus super knowledgeable about the products they sell! Why not take advantage of it?