I just got this article from Seacoast Local, a nonprofit whose mission is promoting dynamic and sustainable community on the seacoast. If you are like most Americans, you are thinking more about how you are spending your money these days. Seacoast Local offers some reasons why spending that money locally makes sense.
Why go local for the holidays?
We can’t think of a single reason not to! Despite the feeling of being huddled in a giant row boat without oars, rising and falling on the economic high seas, we have more power than we think.
Each time we open our wallets and plunk down our dollars, we are doing more than purchasing a swanky new purse or riveting read, we are voting for something.
The cash register is where we decide between sending our hard-earned money out of our community or keeping it here. Let’s keep it here!
Going local is an economic stimulus that doesn’t depend on borrowing or debt. It builds on our power to make good investments, just a few dollars at a time, that will benefit us for generations to come.
According to Nielsen Wire, U.S. holiday sales are expected to reach $98 billion dollars for 2008.
What if just 10% of those purchases were made at independent, locally-owned businesses?
- In an analysis from Midcoast Maine, “three times as much money stays in the local economy when you buy goods and services from locally-owned businesses instead of large chain stores.”
- Local businesses offer unique goods, great service and are the hubs of our community. When you buy local, you put money back into YOUR town, city or region. Studies have found that, on average, 68 cents of every $1 spent locally stays in the community. That is 50 percent more than the same dollar spent elsewhere.
- A neighboring study says, “If Vermont substituted local products for only 10 percent of the food” they import, “it would result in $376 million in new economic output, including $69 million in personal earnings from 3,616 jobs.”
Ten percent may seem like small change but small change can effect change in a positive and lasting way.
All it takes is to spend 10% your holiday shopping dollars at locally owned businesses. If you are not sure who some of these folks are, check out www.seacoastlocal.org. Browse the business directory for great examples (175 and growing) of Seacoast Local businesses.
Better yet, take it to the next level, by purchasing at least 10% of the goods and services you use in your everyday life from local entrepreneurs.
Even a 10% shift in consumer choices has the power to grow economic output by 20 percent, generate millions of dollars in new economic activity and create hundreds of new jobs. And a marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure quality goods, innovation and low prices over the long-term.
This is the time to make a change.
Will you make the 10% shift with us?
Reprinted from www.seacoastlocal.org
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How to find local food:
www.seacoasteatlocal.org
www.seacoastgrowers.org
www.slowfoodseacoast.blogspot.com
Take the236diner Buy Local Challenge and put some of your money in our local economy and support our hometown businesses.
