Why Buying Locally-Owned Matters

There are many benefits to our communities and to each of us to choosing local, independently owned businesses. We realize it is not always possible to buy what you need locally and so merely ask you to Think Local FIRST!

Top Ten reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local

1. Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.(Click here to see summaries of a variety of economic impact studies; these include case studies showing that locally-owned businesses generate a premium in enhanced economic impact to the community and our tax base.)

2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop, where we eat and have fun -- all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Our tourism businesses also benefit. “When people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being someplace, not just anyplace.” ~ Richard Moe, President, National Historic Preservation Trust
4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. Encourage local prosperity: A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

About Sustainable Connections:

We envision a thriving, collaborative community where local businesses are prosperous, and contribute to a healthy environment and the well-being of all citizens.

Mission:

To be the forum where businesses come together to transform and model a vibrant local economy built on sustainable practices.

We affirm and promote our mission through these Guiding Principles:

• WE CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS with people and organizations to create and spread solutions. We strive to work in an open, respectful, non-partisan way that meets people where they are, builds trust and has meaningful impact.

o WE SEEK CREATIVE SOLUTIONS that are place-based, practical and help us spring into action. We think and plan, try it out, learn from the experience, apply fixes, try it out again and the cycle continues.

o WE STRIVE FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT as we adapt to changing community needs and preferences, markets, regulations, and the environment. We measure and evaluate our activities against our goals consistently.

o WE FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE in our work and communications to engage and inspire people. We promote what we stand for over what we are against.

o WE HAVE FUN because although our work may sometimes be challenging, keeping a sense of humor and enjoying the experience is critical for success. We are always aiming to “make it a better party!”