Today I want to share with you why it is so important to support your local community and businesses. I know that there are reasons to stick with the large corporation stores (namely price and convince), but stop and think about why you should take the time to support the locals!
1. Local Character and Prosperity
In a world where everything is becoming the same, communities can preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character, which will give them an economic advantage.
2. Community Well-Being
Locally owned businesses are the biggest contributors to local causes, for example jerseys for the local soccer club, or supporting the school fundraiser. (I’m not suggesting that the large corporations don’t contribute, but they often give their money to big international charities)
3. Local Decision-Making
Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.
4. Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy
Compared to buy from the large chain stores, buying from local owned businesses ensures that more of your money stays within the local community.
5. Job and Wages
Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do. (proportionately it takes more team members to run a corner store, than it does to run a supermarket – hence more jobs)
6. Environmental Sustainability
Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, car use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution. Local stores are also more likely to source their produce locally, hence reducing their carbon footprint.
9. Competition
A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.
10. Product Diversity
Local businesses, each buying to suit their own style and customer base produces a much wider product range than a large chain of stores all buying to the same national sales plan.
As you can see, supporting your local community doesn’t just save the business owners, but in turn saves the community as a whole. Buy local, support local living!!
Support Local Living 
Great post, and I so agree. Keep reminding everyone, it is so important.
Has it stopped raining with you yet?
Thanks Charlie,
It was clear most of today with just a little rain in the afternoon (much better than the drowned rat i looked like the day before)
Sam
Hi Sam, it looks great what you’re writing about and planning. It reminds me a little on the Mondragon Co-operative – doing business locally – http://www.mcc.es/ENG/Co-operativism/Co-operative-Experience/Historic-Background.aspx
Keep up the great work!
What an interesting read – thanks for sharing Alice.
I must admit, i love what I do, which helps after a long day 🙂