Think Local – Discover the Advantages!

So, think about your most recent purchase. Did you shop online or at a local store? What did you consider before making the purchase – price, quality, convenience, customer service? Did the positive impact of spending dollars locally ever cross your mind or influence your purchasing decisions?

It’s probably safe to say that rarely do consumers consider much beyond price and convenience these days. However, when you begin to understand the impact that your dollars have when you shop locally and the ripple effect that can have on our community, you may begin to ask more questions prior to making a purchase. Questions like:

Is the product I want to buy grown or manufactured here?

Is it assembled, processed and/or packaged here?

Is it sold by a local company/business?

Is the company community-minded, supportive of local causes and charitable or non-profit organizations?

Does the company employ local workers?

Do they pay local taxes?

The case for supporting local businesses is simple. When you support local businesses …

-        More money stays in the community. Money spent locally recirculates back into the community helping to fund non-profit and community organizations that serve and help local people.

-        Local jobs are created and sustained. Money spent locally increases business productivity and creates a better business climate – resulting in more employment opportunities.

-        The local community and economy are strengthened. The cycle of creating and spending wealth locally helps strengthen the economy and broader community.

-        Quality of life is improved. Local business owners and their employees contribute financially and volunteer their time to support local organizations and charities, which directly impacts the quality of life for the broader community.

-        Customer service is enhanced. When you buy products locally you are doing business and building relationships with people you know, making any future services, repairs or follow-ups simple and convenient.

I participated on The Lancaster Chamber’s Task Force that studied the impact of “buy local” initiatives that have been implemented across the country, and there is evidence that this type of initiative can strengthen a local economy by sustaining and creating jobs, growing and strengthening businesses, and recirculating wealth within a community to support charitable and service oriented non-profits that help people in our community, improving our overall quality of life.

I’m excited about the launch of this initiative, and hope that others are as enthusiastic about the benefits our community can reap from such a campaign.

Remember, you do have a choice; you can make a difference. Think Local!

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