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 "Think Globally, Act Locally" - the saying has been around for over thirty years. It is a wise piece of advice to follow no matter where you live, and is especially important for American citizens at present. One of the deciding factors of the state of our economy is how and where we as individuals choose to spend our money. Patronizing a local establishment rather than a corporately-owned chain store outlet can have a much bigger impact than you think.
A small-scale study conducted in Austin, TX [pdf] by Liveable City in 2002 analyzed the economic impact of a local bookstore and local music store vs. Borders. The study found that for every $100 in consumer spending at Borders, the total local economic impact is only $13. The same amount spent with BookPeople or Waterloo Records yields more than three times the local economic impact, or $45. Similar small-scale studies conducted in Toledo, OH [pdf], and Mid-Coast Maine [pdf] found similar results.
The Andersonville Study conducted in Chicago in 2004 was much more broad, encompassing not just retailers, but also restaurants and service providers. Local businesses were selected and interviewed, and then data was collected from publicly-owned companies that offered the same services. The study found some startling numbers:
* For every $100 in consumer spending with a local firm, $68 remains in the Chicago economy, as opposed to $43 with a chain firm.
* For every square foot occupied by a local firm, local economic impact is $179, as opposed to $105 with a chain firm.
The numbers show that spending money locally is obviously a smarter investment. Locally-owned businesses are more invested in their community than chain store outlets. They employ more people from the community, whether on-site or outsourced, such as bookkeepers and accountants; they usually live within the community, so profits are spent locally, creating a snowball effect; they source more local goods than chain store outlets; and they are more likely to contribute to local charities and fundraisers.
Keep these things in mind the next time you're going out to a restaurant, grocery store, retail outlet, or entertainment venue. Locally-owned restaurants usually have a unique menu, and use more fresh ingredients. Visit your local Farmer's Market for produce - it hasn't traveled nearly as far as the produce at your nearest chain grocery outlet. Get your back-to-school shopping done at a locally-owned retail store. Catch a show or a play at your neighborhood venue. If you need a little help filling your social calendar this month, we've got some nice local suggestions!
Take a class at First Person Arts in Philadelphia, PA!
Attend the B Movie Celebration in Franklin, IN!
Sandglass Theater in Vermont is hosting an international festival of puppet theater!
Indulge in local food finery with Slow Food gatherings in Fairview, NC, Duluth, MN, or McCordsville, IN!
If you're musically inclined, catch a show at SPACE Gallery in Portland, ME, at West Side Folk in Lawrence, KS, at Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins, CO, or at Foundry Hall in South Haven, MI! However you end up spending your time, we hope it is productive and fulfilling - have a great September! |
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