Reasons to Buy Local
1. MORE MONEY STAYS IN SILVER SPRING WHEN PURCHASES ARE MADE AT LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES.
Small, locally-owned businesses keep money in the community, providing for nonprofits and civic needs, a larger tax base, and good jobs for local residents.
2. LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOUL OF SILVER SPRING.
Silver Spring's eclectic flavor is what some of us grew up with or what brought others here, and we can preserve it by supporting the businesses that make Silver Spring unique.
3. REDUCED TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
Locally-owned businesses are located close to you, requiring less transportation and reducing sprawl, pollution and the money you spend on gas when you have to travel to other places for goods and services.
4. PUBLIC BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGH PUBLIC COSTS.
Research shows that local, independent businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public space. Local business owners are also more conscious of the impact their business has on the environment and the local community because they also live in this area.
5. LOCAL BUSINESSES CREATE COMMUNITY.
Independent businesses often serve as gathering places where you can interact with your neighbors, friends, and the owners of the business. Small specialty and ethnic businesses often bring together members of our community with a shared interest or background.
Studies About Small Businesses and the Impact of Buying Local
SBA Small Business FAQ: click here to download a fact sheet compiled by the Small Business Administration. (You will need Adobe Reader, which is available to download for free.)
Andersonville Study of Retail Economics: click here to read more about the Chicago study that showed that 68% of dollars spent at locally-owned businesses stay in the community.
The San Francisco Retail Diversity Study: click here to read more about the San Francisco study that showed what the economic impact would be if 10% of all retail sales were redirected to local merchants.
BALLE: The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) has a great collection of interesting studies that support buying local.
