Viewing Top 10 Reasons to Buy Local

#5 Nurture community

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Local   Dec 21, 2010

1. Independent businesses are owned by people who live in this community and are committed to investing in Portland’s future. Studies have found that locally owned businesses contribute more than twice as much of their revenue to charitable causes as corporate chains do. And advocates of local causes find that local business owners are generally much more accessible than executives of large corporations based in other states. ³
3. ³ Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Friends of Midcoast Maine, “The Economic Impact of Locally Owned Businesses vs. Chains: A Case Study in Midcoast Maine,” Sept. 2003; Patricia Frishkoff, Business Contributions to Community Service, Small Business Administration, 1991.

#4 Help the environment

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Local   Dec 21, 2010

Local business owners tend to set up shop downtown and in walkable neighborhood business districts, rather than developing on the city’s fringe or in suburban strip malls accessible only by automobile. Having a diverse array of businesses within walking or biking distance reduces the amount of driving Portland residents must do to shop for goods and services. It also helps to conserve land, limit sprawl and lessen traffic and air pollution.

#3 Foster local job creation

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Local   Dec 21, 2010

1. FOSTER LOCAL JOB CREATION
   Studies show that locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than national chains.²

² Civic Economics,”The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics,” October 2004; Civic Economics, “Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study,” December 2002; David Neumark, Junfu Zhang, and Stephen Ciccarella, “The Effects of Wal-Mart on Local Labor Markets,” Public Policy Institute of California, April 2006; Arindrajit Dube, Barry Eidlin, and Bill Lester, “Impact of Wal-Mart Growth on Earnings throughout the Retail Sector in Urban and Rural Counties,” Institute of Industrial Relations Working Paper Series, 2005.

#2 Embrace what makes Portland unique

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Local   Dec 21, 2010

Portland is a city of neighborhoods. Where we shop, where we eat and hang out—all of it makes our neighborhood home. Chain stores are growing more aggressive throughout Portland and threatening to change the unique character of our city. One-of-a-kind, independent businesses are an integral part of what makes Portland a great place to live.

#1 Keep dollars in Portland’s economy

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Local   Dec 21, 2010

1. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 stays in the local economy, creating jobs and expanding the city’s tax base. For every $100 spent at a national chain or franchise store, only $14 remains in the community.¹

¹ Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Friends of Midcoast Maine, “The Economic Impact of Locally Owned Businesses vs. Chains: A Case Study in Midcoast Maine,” Sept. 2003.