About the Program
Why Shop Locally Owned?
Comparison of dollars
re-circulated locally based on a
$100 purchase
The economic impact of shopping and dining at “hometown” businesses
The “multiplier effect” is a term for how dollars multiply within a local economy. Economic studies show that $100 spent at a chain store is multiplied into a $12 recirculation within the local economy. But when a consumer spends $100 at a local business, this amount is multiplied into a $45 recirculation.
That translates to an almost four-fold increase in money that stays in the local economy and re-circulates throughout a community when it is spent at a locally owned business.
When people shop locally, local business owners keep profits and capital re-circulating to other businesses within the local economy. Our merchants use the services of local printers, accountants, bookkeepers, graphic artists and many other businesses for their needs. As a result, dollars are distributed locally. Corporations outsource these needs and send our dollars out of the community to corporate headquarters.
Local merchants are currently losing market share to chain stores daily. An increase of only 10% in re-circulated dollars creates an increase in tax revenue.
In short, there is probably nothing more beneficial for our community than to make the choice to shop locally owned. Our jobs, businesses and organizations are mutually dependent on each other. Locals Care helps create “a stronger community with every local purchase.”
Why shop locally owned?
Five of the many important reasons to choose to shop with Locally Owned, Independent Businesses- Keep our Community"s unique character. Where we choose to shop, dine and have fun — is what supports the unique quality of our community. One-of-a-kind businesses are an important part of the special and distinctive character of our community.
- Support our Local Economy. Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and local farms — continuing to re-circulate those dollars and strengthen the economic base of our community.
- Support Community Groups. Community nonprofit organizations receive an average of 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
- Create more Good Jobs. Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in every community; local businesses provide the most jobs to community residents.
- Strengthen our Community. Support the people who own local businesses, live in this community and are LOCALS who CARE about our community"s future!