Hello 2020! Happy New Year!

A glass of rosé from Galway Rock Vineyard

The start of a new year is a great time of year to take steps to commit to living local. According to the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), by choosing local and independent businesses for your services, shopping, dining and other needs, you not only get real value and personal service, you’re helping:

BUILD COMMUNITY. The casual encounters you enjoy at neighborhood-scale businesses and the public spaces around them build relationships and community cohesiveness. They’re the ultimate social networking sites.

STRENGTHEN YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY. Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns three times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain (hundreds of times more than buying from an online mega-retailer)—a benefit we all can bank on.

SHAPE OUR CHARACTER. Independent businesses help give your community its distinct personality.

CREATE A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT. Independent, community-serving businesses are peoplesized. They typically consume less land, carry more locally made products, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution.

LOWER TAXES. More efficient land use and more central locations mean local businesses put less demand on our roads, sewers and safety services. They also generate more tax revenue per sales dollar. The bottom line: A greater percentage of local independent businesses keeps your taxes lower.

CHOICES. A wide variety of independent businesses, each serving their customers’ tastes, creates greater overall choice for all of us.

CREATE JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES. Not only do independent businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they also are the customers of local printers, accountants, wholesalers, farms, attorneys, etc., expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY. Small businesses donate more than twice as much per sales dollar to local non-profits, events and teams compared to big businesses.

INCREASE WEALTH OF RESIDENTS. The multiplier effect created by spending locally generates lasting impact on the prosperity of local organizations and residents.

ENHANCE LOCAL DEMOCRACY. Local ownership of business means residents with roots in the community are involved in key development decisions that shape our lives and local environment.

ENHANCE HEALTH OF RESIDENTS. Research shows a strong correlation between the percentage of small locally owned firms and various indicators of personal and community health and vitality.

Take the challenge and kickoff the year by living locally. The rewards are priceless.

Mary Blair | Publisher

For more information on the above visit AMIBA.net

Read more stories from the Winter 2019 Issue of Edible Capital District below.