Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. And as soon as the last bits of turkey and stuffing are packed away, many citizens will begin their Christmas season shopping in earnest. As you prepare to search for the perfect gifts for your friends and family, we want to urge you to shop locally as much as you can.
Economists have shown that dollars spent at local, independent businesses, typically re-circulate in the local community up to three times more. Consumers who buy locally also contribute sales taxes that stay here in our community, and are used to improve our schools, public safety agencies and many other necessary services. When you shop in a different county or state, that money stays there and doesn’t have a chance to improve Decatur County.
There are also practical reasons to shopping locally. It saves on time and gas, and if there are any problems with the purchased product, it is easy to return it or exchange it for a new one. While Internet shopping may seem easier, it can often lead to greater headaches down the line if something is wrong and you need customer service.
Buying local also improves the overall makeup of our community, by encouraging businesses to expand operations and hire new employees. Buying local means buying from the people who are our neighbors, fellow church members, and friends. Let’s do what we can to keep our economy strong here in Decatur County, by buying local.