This is something that has been on my mind for awhile now. With the economy the way is, I think one of the best ways to help stimulate our community’s economy is to buy and support local whenever we can. I realize that this may not always be possible but as www.sustainableconnections.org says “Think Local First!”.

I love their slogan:

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

So here are ten reasons why it’s a good idea to “think local first”:

Top Ten reasons to Think Local – Buy Local – Be Local

1. Buy Local – Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.(Click here to see summaries of a variety of economic impact studies; these include case studies showing that locally-owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.)

2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large      businesses.
3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun — all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an  integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local  purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer  nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. 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.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.*

* http://sustainableconnections.org/thinklocal/why

And, when it comes to food, one of the main reasons why I like to buy and eat food that has been grown locally and organically is I believe it greatly reduces the probability of having the food be tainted by poisons, chemicals. I enjoy knowing what I’m eating and where it came from.

I’m definitely intrigued by this topic and interested in what you have to say about it.

Have a great Tuesday and remember:

Think local first + Buy local when you can = Being a local!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.