Local shoppers are the best!

I'm always looking for things to blog about. It's not easy to come up with stuff to yak about day after day. If you know me, you know that if it's hard for me, it must be a nightmare for the average citizen! In an effort to keep you on the edge of your seat with my facinating ramblings, I have searched the internet for fodder and this is what I came up with for today.

It is really good to shop local!!!!!

I knew it!

I found this at http://www.localfirst.com/ a great website out of Greater Grand Rapids.

Here are their Top Ten reasons to shop local

1. Significantly More Money Re-circulates In Toronto (I changed Greater Grand Rapids to Toronto, it only makes sense in this context). =) Please insert your own home town if you're not from TO.


When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the Toronto tax base.



2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.

Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.



3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity

The unique character of Toronto is what brought us here and keeps us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit.



4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.

Local businesses make more local purchases requiring less transportation and usually set up shop in town centers rather than on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.



5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally.



6. Customer Service Is Better.

Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.



7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's future.



8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs.

Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.



9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices.

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.



10. Investment In Toronto Is Encouraged.



A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Shopping local rocks! Now get out there and buy something and feel good about what you are doing! Wow, this really works for me!!
Have a great day!

GO CANADA!