Why is it important to buy local? Everyone always talks about buying local, but do you know why? It saves money, creates jobs, boosts local economy, and makes your gifts this holiday season more special because they have a story. A story Walmart cannot provide! I love to employ local vendors at every opportunity throughout the year and appreciate my customers who do the same.
So... Are you interested in saving and creating jobs in your local community? The 3/50 project is built on that idea, and the national media has given it a lot of attention this year. "Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy." How do the numbers add up?
3 - Pick any 3 locally owned, independent businesses.
50 - Spend $50 a month in each business.
68 - For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
The 3/50 project organizers say that:
If half the employed population spent $50 a month in locally owned, independent businesses, it would generate more than $52.6 billion in revenue. Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Labor Department 2/6/09 report; 68/43 stats courtesy Civic Economics 2008 study.
A lot of people have witnessed this intuitively with small town business. Thanks to Cinda Baxter, 3/50 project founder, real evidence and real suggestions are now available to help.
All this aside, when you purchase something from a local business, the gift has more meaning, more story and a life beyond the price tag. I love the look on someones face when I give them a custom made local gift, or a certificate to a business downtown. So this Christmas( even if its not at Sarah Moore Photography) I challenge you to purchase 3 gifts at local small businesses, the effects will go father than you think! Here are a just few of my favorites....
Tami Bertelson, Cozy Trends, Handmade Children's Hats, www.cozytrends.com
Monica Carpenter, Moe's Crochet,Garters/Snowflakes www.etsy.com/shop/moescrochet
Erica Brown, Erica's Custom Murals, www.ericasmurals.webs.com/
Kings Christian Bookstore, www.KingsChristianBookstore.com
Natural Feeder, Natural Horse Care, www.thenaturalfeeder.com
Big G's BBQ, 720 8th Street Boone, IA 50036-2705 - (515) 432-2162
Boone Theatre, 818 Story St Boone, IA 50036(515) 432-5207
Mollys Mutt Hutt, 819 Division Street Boone, IA 50036-1930 - (515) 432-0736
AND OF COURSE....
Sarah Moore Photography, www.SarahMoorePhoto.com
Whats your favorite locally/independently owned Boone business? Whatever it is buy local and have a Very Merry Christmas!
Sarah
Sarah Moore Photography
906 9th Street Suite 208
Boone, IA 50036
515.230.8965
