10 Reasons to Buy Local

Local, independently owned businesses are the backbone of an economy and the lifeblood of a community. By increasing the number of independent, local‑to‑local economic transactions, we can:

  1. Maintain a unique sense of place, directly contributing to what will keep our community alive and special. Communities with unique businesses are more attractive to in-town residents and out-of-town visitors.
  1. Gain greater transparency and accountability with our purchasing decisions. Our local business owners are more willing and able to respond to consumers who ask questions about the business’s practices or supply chain.
  1. Build a greater sense of community. Local purchasing links neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships.
  1. Provide a "living" standard of ecological and social accountability. Ultimately, business owners must breathe the same air, drink the same water and their families must live side-by-side with the rest of the community.
  1. Support our non-profit community. On average, non-profits receive 350% greater support from locally owned businesses.
  1. Maximize the economic multiplier effect (the more times a dollar circulates within our community without leaving that area), stimulating a stronger, more vibrant economy. Wealth that is produced locally stays local — each dollar spent in a locally owned business returns 3 times more money to our local economy. Local businesses utilize local management, local accountants, local advertising and local attorneys, and are more likely to purchase locally produced goods. Lastly, any wealth that a local business owner accumulates is recycled back into the local economy as they spend their money.
  1. Provide greater economic stability. A marketplace full of diverse businesses is the best way to ensure innovation, lower prices over the long-term and inoculate our economy from events that may threaten global instability.
  1. Sustain our local producers (farmers, cheesemakers, hand-crafted soapmakers, artisans, etc). Our neighbors produce world-class items. Local business owners respect the contributions of local producers.
  1. Increase sales and tax receipts to finance schools, hospitals, police and emergency services, arts, transportation and open spaces. More money circulating within our local economy results in a greater tax base.
  1. Encourage local decision-making and greater civic engagement. Democracy only has meaning when people have the initiative and means to invest resources in creating community organizations that bring people together to socialize, vote and advocate on behalf of what they believe in.