Benefits of Local Ownership

Independent businesses not only compete with large chains but with prevailing attitudes that favor the large chains. Consider some of the benefits of local ownership:

• The profits from local businesses circulate within the community. Independent businesses patronize smaller regional wholesalers and distributors. They rely on other local businesses for services such as banking, accounting, and printing.
• Local merchants have a vested in interest in the community. Their property taxes support the services that they use. Small business owners support community organizations, volunteer, and donate more financial support locally than large corporations.
• A homegrown economy composed of a diverse and numerous independent businesses provides a healthy, competitive marketplace.

Check out these links for more information about supporting independent businesses and a healthy local economy:

www.newrules.org

www.amiba.net

www.boulder-iba.org

www.livingeconomies.org