Independent & Local Businesses Strengthen Our Community Fabric
October 7, 2011
The whole is only as strong & complete as its supporting parts. A smooth running machine only operates well when all its components are maintained and serviced. A community will only continue to prosper as long as all of its fabric is constantly strengthened. The three elements are the identification, action & result of a community supported commerce. By just thinking about the businesses in our town that we are fortunate to have is time well spent for everyone.
3 is just a starting point. It can be three or even thirty three community businesses that we each can identify that would be true losses if they were not able to remain in operation. Not only would we lose the ability to quickly run uptown to buy that one item we need but we would also lose their financial support to our special interest groups. Ever asked for support to a golf tournament and been turned down by any community business? Think about that little extra effort that was done the last time we needed a little extra help; staying open a little later so we can pick up that one item to finish the project or get to the social gathering with the clean suit. How about the knowledge of the staff who has first hand experience with the item or has read the book you are looking for? How about the time they let you borrow the item instead of buying it for that quick fix or really listened to you when you felt the price of an item was out of line, or when the purchased item failed and they took it back with no questions asked? More importantly is the fact that we can talk with the owner of the business almost any time and they will say ‘Thank you, we appreciate your business’. These are just a few threads of our community fabric which makes our town so special. I am sure you can think of your own experiences that bring a smile to your face.
50 dollars, 200 quarters, 500 dimes, 1000 nickels or 5000 pennies sure is not a lot when compared to the big picture of our financial month. By just spending $50 a month in our local community we are investing in the future of our town. Buying an extra coffee, filling up our car’s gas tank or being sure our medical prescriptions are filled in town assures us that these businesses will be around for another day. It is just like that penny jar we all have on our bureau that we add the pocket change to every day. Over time those little increments add up to a huge contribution. By investing in our community’s businesses we are investing in ourselves and our town’s fabric is staying strong.
68 may just seem like a number but in this example it is the amount from 100 that is returned directly and indirectly to our community. Through taxes, payroll and other expenditures of our businesses $68 of each $100 purchase stays here. In addition to this, think about the fact the bank deposits of independently, locally owned businesses are kept in the local banking system so they can use the money for mortgages, personal loans & local investing. Now think amount the money trail of a national chain: their nightly deposits are sent right away to the corporate office, where ever that might be, but most likely not in the town where the store operates. So nothing is left behind for the banker to use in our community. Pretty grim tale. Buying online ?….enough said.
1 is the number of persons needed to keep the momentum of this concept going. Community Strength involves all of us; Consumers, fellow Businesses, Institutions and Municipalities are all in this together. So next time we are writing a product requisition or looking for a little help think about our town’s quilt. By supporting our independently owned business our community’s fabric will remain and continue to be strong & healthy.
Pick 3. Spend 50. Support our local economy. Join the project today.
Want to learn more??? www.the350project.net Tell them New London sent you
