Archive for April, 2009

Many studies have documented the benefit to choosing to spend your money at locally owned businesses. Yes, in general, it is true that you will not be able to buy everything locally but the idea is to think about what you can buy locally and the impact it has on your city. Bellingham, Washington has developed a great program and so has Portland, Maine

Five good reasons to shop locally

1. Money back into the community: If you choose to buy your products from a locally owned business, instead of a nationally owned business the amount of money that stays in the community is increased three to four times. Another study shows that locally owned businesses generate 70% more economic impact per square foot. Additionally, non-profit organizations receive an average of 250% more support from smaller businesses than large ones. Locally owned businesses are tied into the community and will recycle more of its money back into the community. By supporting locally run businesses you are strengthening the economic vitality of your community.
2. Environmental footprint: Locally owned businesses make more local purchase; this decreases the amount of deliveries made over long distances. If you are shopping locally, you are not making long trips.
3. Cost: Good studies that look at the price comparison between local and non-local retailers are not readily available. On the other hand, a survey of pharmacies in Maine found that chain stores were on average 15% more expensive. Locally owned bookstores have been found to be 4%-8% cheaper than some of the big chains. Often, large chain stores will buy brand name items in bulk at cheaper prices because they are made with cheaper parts even though the product itself may appear to be the same as the ones sold by locally owned businesses.
4. Innovation: The operation of many small businesses in the community is a good way to ensure innovation over time because the businesses are local and can focus on the needs of the customer and are not focusing on regional or national sales numbers or product lines.
5. Create good jobs: Small businesses are vital to creating jobs; they are the largest employer nationally. The people that are hired by small businesses generally have good knowledge of the product they are selling and a good understanding of the business they are working for.

Your actions directly affect the vitality of Sammamish and the businesses in it. To support locally run businesses you must spend your money at locally owned stores. If you are supporting local vendors, you are positively impacting the environment by reducing the amount of transportation and the money you spend will be returned directly to your economy.