Region – Last weekend, the “Small Business Saturday” reminded shoppers of the importance of spending money with local businesses. Although we are bombarded daily with sales messages from national retailers, it's the local businesses that have roots in the community. Those roots mean that dollars tend to stay in town, as shop owners and their employees spend their money in and around their communities. There are dozens of studies that conclude approximately 50 cents of every dollar spent with a local business remains in the community compared to only 15 cents of each dollar spent with a national chain. In the case of online purchases, virtually none of the money remains in the local economy.
Even if you didn’t have an opportunity to support small businesses last Saturday, try to do so throughout the holidays and in the coming year…it is something you can do to make a true contribution to the local economy and the well-being of your neighbors.