Why Buy Nearby
Good for you, good for our community, good for our planet
Top-Ten reasons to “Buy Nearby”
Look for this store window decal.
1. Strengthens our local economy – When you buy from locally-owned, independent business, rather than from the “Big-Box” stores and nationally-owned chains, a much larger portion of your money stays in your community. Several studies have shown that locally-owned businesses spend more of their money buying from local farms and service providers, which in turn helps to make your community more prosperous.
2. Preserves our unique “Sense of Place” – It is the one-of-a-kind locally-owned shops and restaurants that make our towns special. Our tourism businesses also benefit… visitors don’t want to go places that only offer the same hamburgers, pizzas, hardware stores and clothing companies that they can shop at back home.
3. It’s good for the environment – You’ll save time, money, and gas by not driving as far to shop. Local-owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation, and they generally set up shop in town or city centers instead of developing on the fringe which contributes to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
4. Create more good jobs – Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, and they provide the most jobs to residents.
5. Support community groups – Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large non-local businesses.
6. Get better service – Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take they more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest in community – Local businesses are owned by people who live in our community, are less likely to leave, and are more committed to our 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 a buyer on the East Coast thinks you want – A marketplace 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 – Economic research shows that entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
Think “Buy Nearby” first when you shop… It’s good for you, good for our community, good for our planet!
